Lockheed Martin, March 06, 2026 - STRATFORD, CT - Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company is preparing to build the first production batch of S-92A+™ helicopters, the latest variant of its flagship commercial heavy-lifter.
A+ model aircraft will be manufactured and assembled in Stratford and Owego, New York, for a new head-of-state transport customer, and anticipated orders from Head of State and offshore-energy customers, marking an exciting development for current and future operators.
Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager, said “The S-92A+ helicopter is another example of how we are modernizing the fleet and transforming for the future, and we are building in surge capacity to meet expected demand. The S-92 remains the aircraft of choice for Head of State, offshore energy and search and rescue operators who want the highest available flight-time helicopter to perform long-range missions in any weather condition.”
A 14th country recently ordered two aircraft for head-of-state transport. Sikorsky will assemble these two aircraft plus three additional S-92A+ aircraft. Sikorsky has capacity to produce up to 12 S-92A+ aircraft annually to meet rising global demand for Head of State, personnel or cargo transport, offshore energy, firefighting and military operations.
Skilled artisans at Sikorsky’s headquarters in Stratford will produce S-92 dynamic components, including the main gearbox, blades and drivetrains. In Owego, the workforce will continue its proven record of assembly, having delivered 23 new U.S. presidential helicopters based on the S-92A platform.
In 2025, Sikorsky delivered two S-92A aircraft to head-of-state customers in Asia and the Middle East.
The S-92 family, now upgraded to the S-92A+, continues to set industry benchmarks for safety, performance and versatility.
Sikorsky is standardizing all production aircraft around the S-92A+ model. Each aircraft will feature the Phase IV main gearbox as well as upgraded engines. The Phase IV main gearbox, which is the most technologically advanced in the commercial market, is in its final 200 hours of endurance testing.
Phase IV main gearbox:
- The Phase IV gearbox will have a minimum operating lifecycle of 6,000+ flight hours, ensuring longer intervals between overhauls.
- Sikorsky has designed the Phase IV gearbox with auxiliary lubrication so the helicopter can complete a flight safely even if primary oil pressure is lost.
Additional engine power:
- Increased shaft horsepower of the GE CT7-8A6 engines maintains power through greater temperature ranges in hot and high-altitude environments.
- Increased engine power combined with airframe strengthening increases maximum gross weight to 27,700 pounds ensuring an additional 1,200 pounds of payload or fuel.
- Exterior lift (sling load) capability increases significantly.
S-92A+ capability is available as a kit for retrofit to any S-92A aircraft with the option for upgraded engines.
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.
A+ model aircraft will be manufactured and assembled in Stratford and Owego, New York, for a new head-of-state transport customer, and anticipated orders from Head of State and offshore-energy customers, marking an exciting development for current and future operators.
Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager, said “The S-92A+ helicopter is another example of how we are modernizing the fleet and transforming for the future, and we are building in surge capacity to meet expected demand. The S-92 remains the aircraft of choice for Head of State, offshore energy and search and rescue operators who want the highest available flight-time helicopter to perform long-range missions in any weather condition.”
A 14th country recently ordered two aircraft for head-of-state transport. Sikorsky will assemble these two aircraft plus three additional S-92A+ aircraft. Sikorsky has capacity to produce up to 12 S-92A+ aircraft annually to meet rising global demand for Head of State, personnel or cargo transport, offshore energy, firefighting and military operations.
Skilled artisans at Sikorsky’s headquarters in Stratford will produce S-92 dynamic components, including the main gearbox, blades and drivetrains. In Owego, the workforce will continue its proven record of assembly, having delivered 23 new U.S. presidential helicopters based on the S-92A platform.
In 2025, Sikorsky delivered two S-92A aircraft to head-of-state customers in Asia and the Middle East.
The S-92A+ is Designed for the Next Generation
The S-92 family, now upgraded to the S-92A+, continues to set industry benchmarks for safety, performance and versatility.
Sikorsky is standardizing all production aircraft around the S-92A+ model. Each aircraft will feature the Phase IV main gearbox as well as upgraded engines. The Phase IV main gearbox, which is the most technologically advanced in the commercial market, is in its final 200 hours of endurance testing.
Phase IV main gearbox:
- The Phase IV gearbox will have a minimum operating lifecycle of 6,000+ flight hours, ensuring longer intervals between overhauls.
- Sikorsky has designed the Phase IV gearbox with auxiliary lubrication so the helicopter can complete a flight safely even if primary oil pressure is lost.
Additional engine power:
- Increased shaft horsepower of the GE CT7-8A6 engines maintains power through greater temperature ranges in hot and high-altitude environments.
- Increased engine power combined with airframe strengthening increases maximum gross weight to 27,700 pounds ensuring an additional 1,200 pounds of payload or fuel.
- Exterior lift (sling load) capability increases significantly.
S-92A+ capability is available as a kit for retrofit to any S-92A aircraft with the option for upgraded engines.
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.
Comments | Join community |
| Which offshore operators? |
| while the S92 is a fine helicopter and serves it’s purpose well, I don’t think the decision to replace them is based on capacity. Unfortunately, since Sikorsky was purchased by Lockheed, interest in supporting the platform seems to have declined, combined with an ageing fleet. The reasons for replacing the type are many, and probably driven by a sense of necessity rather than want in a lot of cases, but you just have to compare order numbers between the two types, and see the locations that the AW189 are appearing in now. |
| the article seems to indicate that in addition to the head of state order (which I’m assuming the picture is for), they are also preparing for “anticipated” offshore energy orders. Guessing it must be for all of the operators who are not currently replacing their S92 fleets with the AW189? |
| Encouraging to see the continued evolution of the Sikorsky S-92 platform. As airframe configurations and mission profiles evolve, retrofit programs will continue driving demand for parts, upgrades, and maintenance support - while adding complexity to sustaining diverse fleet configurations.#Rotorcraft #Helicopters #AviationAftermarket #MRO #PartsCollab |
| They said the S76D model is next !!! |
| I hope, for commercial industry's sake, that is correct. |
| why would such a fine helicopter be replaced by a smaller one? |
| Nice looking aircraft!!! |
| looks familiar 😂 |
| Great aircraft. Nice to see it coming back. |
| where he works explains the bias... |
| Assembled in Stratford? Where they used to do SPAR work on the VH-3D’s? Will they get assembled in Stratford and flown to Owego for the bling interior installation? |
| The location is a personal choice, and I am not employed by the OEM located there. If you do look at my employment history, you will also see that I worked with the biggest S92 operator in Australia... |
| It should have never left Coatesville, PA! Lockheed has always been short sighted with the commercial side of things. They tried to get Piasecki to build it but they were going to eff them over. I hope it fails miserably! |
| Good news. I hope the restart of Sikorsky S-92 production encourages Sikorsky to strengthen the supply chain and improve parts availability for operators of the current fleet. |
See also |
Sikorsky S-92A+
Oil and Gas Industry in International 
