OREANDA-NEWS. Sikorsky recognized Bristow Helicopters Limited and the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency today at the 2016 Farnborough Air Show for excellence in lifesaving achievement with the S-92® helicopter. Bristow Helicopters Limited is an affiliate of Bristow Group Inc. Sikorsky is a Lockheed Martin Company (NYSE: LMT).

Bristow Helicopters currently operates 14 S-92 helicopters on behalf of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency for the critical mission of search and rescue (SAR), following the award of the 10-year UK SAR contract by the Department for Transport in March 2013. In the first year of UK SAR operations, beginning April 1, 2015, Bristow successfully completed 1,149 missions utilizing S-92 helicopters.

“We are proud to be a part of this successful collaboration and are honored to serve on behalf of Her Majesty’s Coastguard,” said Bristow Group President and Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Baliff. “The speed, capacity and operational range of the SAR S-92, combined with the civilian and former military personnel we employ as part of UK SAR, create a best-of-all-worlds solution that is the backbone of our life-saving efforts.”

“Igor Sikorsky envisioned the helicopter as a lifesaving tool,” said Sikorsky Vice President for Strategy & Business Development Nathalie Previte. “In the year of the S-92 fleet’s millionth flight hour, we are thrilled to recognize a customer who flies and excels at the critical mission of search and rescue.”

Search and rescue S-92 aircraft perform at an average air speed of 145 knots (166 mph) and have the endurance to perform for more than four hours without refueling. They are outfitted with state-of-the-art technology including:

  • High definition forward looking infra-red (FLIR) and thermal image camera technology
  • Night vision goggle (NVG) technology including glass cockpit
  • Icing protection system
  • Twin hoist
  • Comprehensive medical suite