S-92® Helicopter Completes First Flight Using Biofuel Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company leading the way towards a more sustainable aviation future
September 22 2021 Release here
Best-in-class safety and reliability, the S-92 helicopter can operate on approved Sustainable Aviation Fuel. Photo courtesy of CHC Helikopter Service of Norway
STRATFORD, Conn., September 22, 2021. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company [NYSE: LMT] has approved the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), often referred to as biofuel, for the S-92 helicopter as an alternative to petroleum-based fuels and the aircraft completed its first flight. This approval occurs as companies across the aviation industry are taking steps to meet environmental challenges, including transitioning to sustainable aviation fuels derived from renewable non-fossil fuel sources and utilized by aircraft certified for Jet A/A-1 fuels.
CHC Helikopter Service of Norway, was the first to fly the S-92 helicopter using Synthetic Paraffinic Kerosene (HEFA-SPK) which is one of seven types of approved SAFs available today. SAFs are capable of reducing lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% when compared to petroleum-based jet fuels. HEFA-SPK is produced from waste and residual feedstock such as used cooking oil.
“As a Corporation, we are committed to sustainability and I am proud that our S-92 helicopter is playing a role in a more sustainable future,” said Jason Lambert, Sikorsky’s vice president of Global Commercial and Military Systems. “The aircraft is known for its unmatched advantages and the use of biofuel is one more attribute on that list.”
GE Aviation, which manufactures the CT7-8A engines that power the S-92 helicopter, supports Sikorsky’s ambitions to reduce carbon emissions through the use of SAF. GE is heavily involved in the qualifying and testing of approved SAF blends.
“The S-92 helicopter’s first flight using SAF further demonstrates how SAF can be used today with our CT7 engines to lower CO2 emissions,” said Harry Nahatis, vice president and general manager of GE Turboshaft Engine programs. “All GE engines are capable of using approved SAF blends without any modifications, and we firmly believe flights like this demonstrate how SAF can contribute to more sustainable flight across the aviation industry.”
Norwegian offshore helicopters will be the first to fly commercial flights on biofuel on the Sikorsky S-92 helicopter. The use of biofuel across the S-92 global fleet is an additional benefit to the offshore oil and gas mission.
For additional information, visit our website: https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/sikorsky-s-92-helicopter.html
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
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About GE Aviation
GE Aviation, an operating unit of GE (NYSE: GE), is a world-leading provider of jet engines, components and systems for commercial and military aircraft. GE Aviation has a global service network to support these offerings. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation. Follow GE Aviation on Twitter at http://twitter.com/GEAviation and YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/user/GEAviation.
GE Aviation is committed to a more sustainable future of flight. Learn more here.