SIKORSKY'S S-92 Helibus may be powered by the Turbomeca-Rolls-Royce RTM322 turbo shaft engine, according to officials of the US and UK companies.
Although the S-92 is being offered with the General Electric CT7-6D and CT7-8 power plants, provisions are being made for the RTM322, should a customer desire the alternative engine. R-R says: "The international marketplace has been receptive to the proposal, since the engine offers more power than either CT7 version."
Technical information about an RTM322-powered S-92 has been exchanged.
In 1995, a six-nation collaborative venture, led by Sikorsky, launched the $600 million project. A prototype of the 19-passenger medium-lift helicopter is to be flown in early 1998.The twin-engine S-92 is being offered in two configurations: the S-92IU international utility (military) version and the commercial S-92C.
The C-model aircraft is being offered with the CT7-6D, a 1,300kW (1,750shp) growth model of the engine which powers a version of the EH Industries EH101 helicopter. The S-92IU is to be powered by the 1,415kW CT7-8 turbo shaft. The rival RTM322-01, also used on the EH101, is rated at 1,565kW, with growth potential to 2,235kW.
The partnership includes Brazil's Embraer, Gamesa of Spain, Jingdezhen Helicopter of China, Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Taiwan Aerospace.
Source: Flight International