BAE SYSTEMS Developing Fly-By-Wire Flight Control For Sikorsky S-92 And H-92 Helicopters
22 Sep 2003
BAE Systems Aerospace Controls will develop and manufacture a fly-by-wire flight control system for Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.s S-92 medium-lift helicopter and its military derivative, the H-92 SUPERHAWK. The fly-by-wire system will weigh far less than the conventional mechanical control systems used in most rotorcraft, decrease overall life-cycle operating and maintenance costs, and enhance safety, survivability, and mission effectiveness by reducing pilot workload.
Under the agreement, BAE Systems also becomes Sikorskys preferred supplier for future fly-by-wire systems.
As rotorcraft manufacturers turn increasingly to fly-by-wire technology, we are proud to provide Sikorsky with the benefit of our more than 25 years of experience in this area, said Mike Austill, vice president of BAE Systems Aerospace Controls.
The company provides fly-by-wire systems for military aircraft including the RAH-66 Comanche, C-17 Globemaster III, F/A-18 Hornet, and JAS 39 Gripen, and also for the Boeing 777 commercial jet.
The S-92 and H-92 fly-by-wire flight control systems will consist of a flight control computer, two pilot control sticks, and sensors for processing pitch, roll, and yaw data. Piloting a helicopter is an inherently labour-intensive job, but use of fly-by-wire technology will substantially reduce operator work load, freeing the crew to tend to its primary job, whether its safely delivering passengers or carrying out a military mission," Austill said.
The fly-by-wire system will significantly decrease weight and increase the helicopters flying range and/or boost its lift capacity.
The S-92 took its first flight in December 1998 and achieved FAA certification in 2002. An evolution of Sikorskys S-70 U.S. Army BLACK HAWK and Navy SEAHAWK helicopters, it is available in a 19-seat passenger commercial configuration, a 22-troop utility version, and a number of mission-specific configurations including search and rescue and government and VIP transportation. The S-92 earned the aerospace industrys highest honour for 2002 - the Robert J. Collier Trophy - for its breakthrough design in the areas of safety, performance, and operating costs.
The H-92 SUPERHAWK, unveiled at this years Paris Air Show, is a multi-mission helicopter being designed to provide unprecedented levels of safety, reliability, maintainability, and mission flexibility. The platform is Sikorskys candidate for the impending replacement program for Marine One, the U.S. presidential transport mission. In addition, the U.S. Air Force has identified a combat search and rescue (CSAR) version of the SUPERHAWK as the preferred alternative for an upcoming program to replace more than 100 PAVE HAWK aircraft.
About SIKORSKY:
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Connecticut, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacturing and service. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) of Hartford, Connecticut, which provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.
About BAE SYSTEMS:
BAE Systems is an international company engaged in the development, delivery, and support of advanced defence and aerospace systems in the air, on land, at sea, and in space. The company designs, manufactures, and supports military aircraft, surface ships, submarines, radar, avionics, communications, electronics, and guided weapon systems. It is a pioneer in technology with a heritage stretching back hundreds of years and is at the forefront of innovation, working to develop the next generation of intelligent defence systems.
BAE Systems has major operations across five continents and customers in some 130 countries. The company employs more than 90,000 people and generates annual sales of approximately 12 billion through its wholly owned and joint-venture operations.
BAE Systems Aerospace Controls is a unit of the companys U.S.-based Platform Solutions Sector. The Platform Solutions Sector is a leading global supplier of integrated electronic control products, subsystems, and man-machine interface systems for air, space, sea, and ground vehicles. The business develops and produces electronic vehicle management systems, electronic engine controls, cockpit and helmet displays, power management systems, hybrid electric vehicle drives, and inertial systems for a variety of platforms including fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, missiles, ground vehicles, ships, and space launch vehicles. Based in Johnson City, New York, it employs approximately 6,400 people at 12 facilities in the United States and the United Kingdom.
BAE Systems, innovating for a safer world.
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
