Lockheed Martin, July 24, 2025 - RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, Heli-One, a division of CHC Helicopter Group, and Milestone Aviation announced an initiative to establish a Center of Excellence for S-92 helicopter fleets in Brazil.
In a significant move to bolster the South American helicopter industry, this initiative demonstrates each company’s shared commitment to providing exceptional S-92 services in the region, with a particular focus on supporting rescue and recovery operations.
The S-92 Center of Excellence, to be based in Rio de Janeiro and led by CHC Helicopter Group’s MRO division Heli-One, intends to leverage the combined expertise of the companies to provide customers with comprehensive support services and embedded maintenance capabilities. Its objective is to further enhance mission readiness status and S-92 fleet availability in Brazil and other South American countries.
Leon Silva, vice president of Global Commercial and Military Systems at Sikorsky, said "We are committed to providing our customers with rigorous and dependable capabilities that ensure the continued success of the S-92 helicopter. This initiative combines the best skills, expertise and technologies from across the industry to enable customers to keep their S-92 helicopters in service for longer and maximize operational readiness.”
Tom Burke, president and chief executive officer at CHC Helicopter Group, said “The time is right for establishing an S-92 Center of Excellence in Brazil as more and more customers select the aircraft for their operations, including for rescue and recovery. By utilizing the knowledge of our Heli-One division and working together with Sikorsky and Milestone, we will be able to offer more integrated and efficient support services and maximize availability for the growing S-92 fleet in region.”
Pat Sheedy, president and chief executive officer at Milestone, said "This initiative is a testament to our commitment to supporting the growth of the commercial aviation market in Brazil. By combining our expertise with that of Sikorsky and Heli-One, we will be able to provide a more robust and reliable service to our customers, ultimately enhancing the availability and efficiency of their operations."
The companies have already begun identifying opportunities to expand their collaboration and the following support provisions for S-92 operators are being considered:
- Access to a comprehensive inventory of critical supplies and parts, including gearboxes, blades, and dampers
- Scheduled maintenance inspections, repair and overhauls
- Improved supply chain management and logistics
Sikorsky has advanced Brazil’s defense and aerospace priorities for more than fifty years, and over 30 S-92 aircraft operate in country supported by a local Forward Stocking Location (FSL) in Rio de Janeiro near operators CHC Helicopter, Lider Aviation, and Omni Helicopters International. The S-92 helicopter is certified by Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency in all production configurations, including offshore oil and gas transportation, search and rescue, as well as regional airline passenger service and VIP transportation. It is also certified in Colombia, Guyana, Falkland Islands, Mexico, as well as Trinidad and Tobago.
Sikorsky has announced several enhancements to the S-92 helicopter in recent months reflecting its continued commitment to the commercial market and investment in the S-92 platform.
The successful execution of a S-92 helicopter Center of Excellence in Brazil depends on internal approvals between the three companies, and more details will be shared in the coming months.
About Lockheed Martin : Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready.
About Heli-One : Heli-One is the maintenance, repair, and overhaul services division of CHC Helicopter Group, a global leader in the provision of helicopter services to the offshore energy markets, search & rescue operations, and government departments.
About Milestone Aviation : Milestone Aviation, an AerCap company, is the world’s leading helicopter leasing and financing company. Milestone partners with helicopter operators worldwide, providing a wide array of financial and productivity solutions, including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, engine leasing and fleet advisory. The company supports approximately 50 customers in approximately 35 countries serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining, fire-fighting, and other utility missions.
In a significant move to bolster the South American helicopter industry, this initiative demonstrates each company’s shared commitment to providing exceptional S-92 services in the region, with a particular focus on supporting rescue and recovery operations.
The S-92 Center of Excellence, to be based in Rio de Janeiro and led by CHC Helicopter Group’s MRO division Heli-One, intends to leverage the combined expertise of the companies to provide customers with comprehensive support services and embedded maintenance capabilities. Its objective is to further enhance mission readiness status and S-92 fleet availability in Brazil and other South American countries.
Leon Silva, vice president of Global Commercial and Military Systems at Sikorsky, said "We are committed to providing our customers with rigorous and dependable capabilities that ensure the continued success of the S-92 helicopter. This initiative combines the best skills, expertise and technologies from across the industry to enable customers to keep their S-92 helicopters in service for longer and maximize operational readiness.”
Tom Burke, president and chief executive officer at CHC Helicopter Group, said “The time is right for establishing an S-92 Center of Excellence in Brazil as more and more customers select the aircraft for their operations, including for rescue and recovery. By utilizing the knowledge of our Heli-One division and working together with Sikorsky and Milestone, we will be able to offer more integrated and efficient support services and maximize availability for the growing S-92 fleet in region.”
Pat Sheedy, president and chief executive officer at Milestone, said "This initiative is a testament to our commitment to supporting the growth of the commercial aviation market in Brazil. By combining our expertise with that of Sikorsky and Heli-One, we will be able to provide a more robust and reliable service to our customers, ultimately enhancing the availability and efficiency of their operations."
The companies have already begun identifying opportunities to expand their collaboration and the following support provisions for S-92 operators are being considered:
- Access to a comprehensive inventory of critical supplies and parts, including gearboxes, blades, and dampers
- Scheduled maintenance inspections, repair and overhauls
- Improved supply chain management and logistics
Sikorsky has advanced Brazil’s defense and aerospace priorities for more than fifty years, and over 30 S-92 aircraft operate in country supported by a local Forward Stocking Location (FSL) in Rio de Janeiro near operators CHC Helicopter, Lider Aviation, and Omni Helicopters International. The S-92 helicopter is certified by Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency in all production configurations, including offshore oil and gas transportation, search and rescue, as well as regional airline passenger service and VIP transportation. It is also certified in Colombia, Guyana, Falkland Islands, Mexico, as well as Trinidad and Tobago.
Sikorsky has announced several enhancements to the S-92 helicopter in recent months reflecting its continued commitment to the commercial market and investment in the S-92 platform.
The successful execution of a S-92 helicopter Center of Excellence in Brazil depends on internal approvals between the three companies, and more details will be shared in the coming months.
About Lockheed Martin : Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready.
About Heli-One : Heli-One is the maintenance, repair, and overhaul services division of CHC Helicopter Group, a global leader in the provision of helicopter services to the offshore energy markets, search & rescue operations, and government departments.
About Milestone Aviation : Milestone Aviation, an AerCap company, is the world’s leading helicopter leasing and financing company. Milestone partners with helicopter operators worldwide, providing a wide array of financial and productivity solutions, including operating leases, purchase/leasebacks, secured debt financing, engine leasing and fleet advisory. The company supports approximately 50 customers in approximately 35 countries serving a variety of industries, including offshore oil and gas, search and rescue, emergency medical services, police surveillance, mining, fire-fighting, and other utility missions.
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S-92 in
Heli-One S-92 in
Milestone Aviation S-92 in
CHC do Brasil S-92 in
Líder Aviação S-92 in
Omni Taxi Aereo S-92 in
Sikorsky Helicopters 
