On Friday, March 6, 2026, the American company Lockheed Martin announced preparations to launch serial production of the upgraded Sikorsky S-92+ Superhawk medium multirole helicopters at its facilities in Stratford and Owego, New York, for a new VIP transport customer. Orders are expected for helicopters in the VIP segment as well as from clients in the offshore energy sector.
Photos: Lockheed Martin
“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,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. “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.”
It was also announced that a fourteenth country has recently ordered two helicopters for VIP transport. Sikorsky will assemble these two helicopters along with three additional S-92A+ aircraft. Sikorsky has the production capacity to manufacture up to 12 S-92A+ helicopters annually to meet growing global demand for personnel and cargo transport, offshore energy operations, firefighting, and military missions.
At Sikorsky’s facility in Stratford, S-92 components will be produced, including the main gearbox, rotor blades, and drivetrain systems. Final assembly will continue in Owego, where the 23 new VH-92A Patriot presidential helicopters were built. In 2025, Sikorsky delivered two S-92A helicopters for VIP transport in Asia and the Middle East.
The upgraded S-92+ has received a new Phase IV main gearbox and upgraded General Electric CT7-8A6 turboshaft engines. The main gearbox, considered the most technologically advanced on the commercial market, is currently undergoing the final 200 hours of endurance testing. It has been equipped with an auxiliary lubrication system that automatically activates in the event of oil pressure loss, eliminating the need for an emergency landing and allowing operators to safely reach their destination. The Phase IV gearbox will have a minimum service life of more than 6,000 flight hours, providing longer intervals between overhauls.
The increased power of the GE CT7-8A6 engines allows the helicopter to maintain proper performance across a wider range of temperatures in hot environments and at high altitudes. Together with structural reinforcements to the airframe, the maximum gross weight has been increased to about 12,440 kg (27,700 lb), providing an additional payload or fuel capacity of approximately 540 kg (1,200 lb). Lockheed Martin also offers the option of upgrading older S-92A models to the S-92+ standard, including the integration of the improved engines.
It is also worth noting that on March 9 of this year the company renewed its Total Assurance Program (TAP) operational support agreements with six S-92A operators (out of a total of nine) for the supply of spare parts.