Sikorsky confirms collaboration with Mil and does not see it as being in conflict with Mil's relationship with Eurocopter

Published: 9/9/1999

Sikorsky Aircraft has confirmed that it is collaborating with Mil and TsAGI (Moscow based aerodynamics institute) on the development of new advanced technology rotor blades for the S-76, using composite materials. Mil and TsAGI will undertake the design of the blades, which Mil will subsequently build. In an interview with Concise, Stephen Malone, Vice President of Sikorsky, denied that Mil's involvement with rival Eurocopter on the Mi-38 potentially undermined the cooperative agreement. He observed that projects, such as the Mi-38, are so substantial and costly as to preclude any company undertaking it as a solo venture. Collaborative agreements are therefore a realistic way forward where there is no immediate competition. “Sometimes you cooperate and sometimes you compete”, he added, citing the fact that, while the Sikorsky S-53 is currently competing with the Boeing Chinook for a large order for Turkey, the two companies are working together on the Comanche programme. On the S-76, Malone said that Mil had been favoured over Kamov owing to the high level of common ground between the two at the time, such as technologies, tail rotor, configuration and land-based helicopters, whereas Kamov aircraft were primarily naval, ship-based helicopters. He insisted that the acquisition by Sikorsky of Mil shares was made to support, rather than control the company, so enabling it to preserve its independence. Mil remains in external administration after a decision by the Moscow Arbitration Court in June of this year (www.concise.org 21st June 1999) The new blades for the S-76 will be developed using Russian de-icing technologies. According to Malone, the blades will go into production in Russia. He anticipates the creation of a joint venture, since Mil would be unable to raise the necessary funding itself. He confirmed that all new S-76s sill have the blades and that they can be retrofitted to old helicopters. The new blades will be 100% composites, using carbon graphite spars, in order to enhance the helicopter's performance. The S-76 is intended to compete head-on with the Ka-60 and its civilian variant the Ka-62. Sikorsky anticipates that certification of the upgrade - to be known as the S-76R - should take place in 2002. The new blades are expected to result in a 5% improvement in speed and increase payload by 400lbs. Malone said that the unit price would be the same or slightly less for the S-76R as the unit price for a new S-76. According to Malone, this currently varies, according to configuration, from $8-$9m for the VIP version which currently has 80% of the market according to Malone, to the $6.5-$7m for the oil service aircraft with a 40% market share. He considers that the Sikorsky helicopter will be much more economical to operate than the ordinary Mi-8, particularly as its blades do not require an overhaul during their lifetime, in contrast to the Russian requirement of overhaul every 500 hours.

Article ID: 844