Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, recently delivered their 300th Gross Weight Expanded (GWE) S-92 helicopter to Houston-based Era Group, Inc. Era is one of the largest helicopter fleet operators in the world and the longest serving U.S.-based helicopter transport provider. It focuses primarily on offshore oil and gas transport but also serves customers in the tourism, search-and-rescue, and medical fields.
Era was among the first to utilize the S-92’s advanced health and usage monitoring system, which helps ensure higher levels of reliability. The 19-passenger aircraft’s GWE increases its maximum takeoff weight to 27,700 lbs. This change represents a 1,200-pound increase that can be used to accommodate additional payload. These aircraft are assembled in Coatesville, Pennsylvania and will join Era Group's fleet of eight Sikorsky helicopters, four of which are GWE S-92s, in service in the Gulf of Mexico.
The two companies are continuing a partnership that has lasted more than 60 years. The S-92 is widely recognized for its reliability and compliance with the latest FAA regulations and industry safety standards. The S-92 was first introduced in 2004, features a top speed of 190 mph, and a range of over 600 miles. Although details of this deal were not made public, the estimated sticker price of a GWE S-92 is between $30-$35 million.