Helicopter Innovation Era
Accordion Content
Sikorsky S-46 / VS-300
First Flight: 14 September 1939
Quantity Built: 1
Summary:
Known as the VS-300 (VS for Vought Sikorsky), the Sikorsky S-46 was Igor Sikorsky’s first modern helicopter. It had four major configurations and many minor variations.
Sikorsky S-47 / VS-316A
First Flight: 14 January 1942
Quantity Built: 131
Designations: R-4, XR-4, HNS-1
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-47 was the first production helicopter. The design was a two-seat, enclosed cabin development of the Sikorsky S-46.
Sikorsky S-48 / VS-327
First Flight: 18 August 1943
Quantity Built: 65
Designations: R-5, XR-5, H-5, HO2S-1
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-48 was a tandem two-seat helicopter capable of carrying two external litters. The S-48 served in both World War II and the Korean War. The U.S. Post Office also used the S-48 for daily-scheduled mail delivery.
Sikorsky S-49 / VS-316B
First Flight: 15 October 1943
Quantity Built: 225
Designations: R-6, XR-6, HOS-1
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-49 was a refined redesign of the Sikorsky S-47, with a larger engine and improved transmission. 219 of the 225 total quantity were built by licensee Nash-Kelvinator in Detroit, Michigan.
Sikorsky S-50
Year Built: 1943
First Flight: Did Not Fly
Quantity Built: 0
Summary:
A design study for a small, single-seat observation helicopter, the Sikorsky S-50 never progressed beyond construction of a full-scale wooden mock-up.
Sikorsky S-51
First Flight: 16 February 1946
Quantity Built: 379
Designation: HO3S-1, H-5F, G & H
Summary:
Faced with lean U.S. Military spending in the late 1940s, Sikorsky Aircraft funded development of the Sikorsky S-51 as a four-seat variant of the S-48, targeted for civil transportation and commercial use. It was later purchased by the U.S. Military.
Sikorsky S-52
First Flight: 12 February 1947
Quantity Built: 95
Designations: HO5S-1, YH-18
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-52 was the first U.S. helicopter to feature all-metal main and tail rotor blades. It was built in both two and four-seat versions.
Sikorsky S-53
First Flight: 22 September 1947
Quantity Built: 3
Designation: XHJS-1
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-53 was an experimental search and rescue helicopter developed for the U.S. Navy.
Sikorsky S-54
First Flight: 20 December 1948
Quantity Built: 1
Summary:
The experimental Sikorsky S-54 was built to test the performance and handling qualities of a sequi-tandem rotor design. It was built using S-47 aircraft components and flew a total of 4 hours 25 minutes.
Sikorsky S-55
First Flight: 10 November 1949
Quantity Built: 1,758
Designations: H-19, HO4S, HRS
Summary:
The company-funded Sikorsky S-55 was designed and fabricated in less than 1 year and resulted in substantial orders from the U.S. Navy and Air Force due to its innovative features. The S-55 was the first helicopter to be used in an anti-submarine role.
Sikorsky S-56
First Flight: 18 December 1953
Quantity Built: 156
Designations: H-37, HR2S-1, HR2S-1W
Summary:
Designed for U.S Navy as a large assault transport helicopter, Sikorsky S-56 was the first multi-engine production helicopter . It was also the first Sikorsky helicopter to feature retractable landing gear, five rotor blades, automatic blade folding, and an auxiliary power unit.
Sikorsky S-57
Year Designed: 1951
Quantity Built: 0
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-57 was a proposal for a joint U.S. Army and Air Force competition for a “convertiplane” aircraft, with the vertical takeoff of a helicopter and forward flight and range of a fixed wing aircraft. It featured a fully-retractable single rotor blade balanced by a counterweight.
Sikorsky S-58
First Flight: 8 March 1954
Quantity Built: 2,260
Designations: H-34, HUS-1, HSS-1
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-58 was an all-purpose transport flown by the U.S. Navy, Marines, Army, and Coast Guard as well as foreign and domestic commercial operators. Based on the Sikorsky S-55 design, the S-58 was larger, approx. twice as powerful and had improved aerodynamics.
Sikorsky S-59
First Flight: 1 June 1954
Quantity Built: 2
Designation: XH-39
Summary:
The successor to the Sikorsky S-52, the Sikorsky S-59 was the first Sikorsky helicopter to feature a gas turbine engine and set world helicopter records for speed (156 mph) and altitude (24,522 ft).
Sikorsky S-60
First Flight: 25 March 1959
Quantity Built: 1
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-60 “Skycrane” was the first crane helicopter, developed as a research vehicle to test the crane concept. The S-60 evolved from the Sikorsky S-56, using the same dynamic components and piston engine.
Sikorsky S-61
First Flight: 11 March 1959
Quantity Built: 1,473
Designations: H-3, HSS2, CHSS-2, H-124
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-61 was the world’s largest amphibious helicopter, featuring a flying boat hull, sponsons and twin gas turbine engines. It was produced for the U.S. Navy for anti-submarine missions in addition to commercial and VIP configurations. The S-61 also transports U.S. Presidents as the VH-3A.
Sikorsky S-62
First Flight: 14 May 1958
Quantity Built: 170
Designations: H-52, HU2S-1
Summary:
The world’s first true amphibious helicopter, the Sikorsky S-62 featured a flying boat hull, sponsons, 3 rotor blades and a single gas turbine engine. It was developed using Sikorsky S-55 components.
Sikorsky S-63
Year Designed: Possibly 1958
Quantity Built: 0
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-63 was a design study based on the S-62 with 4 rotor blades, an improved transmission and twin gas turbine engines. While the S-62 was designed using Sikorsky S-55 dynamic components, the S-63’s design incorporated those of the larger, more powerful S-58.
Sikorsky S-64
First Flight: 9 May 1962
Quantity Built: 99
Designation: H-54
Summary:
Following the successful demonstration of the S-60 Skycrane concept, Sikorsky Aircraft company-funded development of the Sikorsky S-64, featuring twin turbine engines and 6 rotor blades. Its military designation was H-54. The Sikorsky S-64 was the final aircraft that Igor Sikorsky helped design and produce.
Sikorsky S-65
First Flight: 14 October 1964
Quantity Built: 737
Designation: CH-53
Summary:
Known by its military designation CH-53, the Sikorsky S-65 is an assault transport helicopter developed for the U.S. Marines and also flown by the U.S. Air Force, Navy and international militaries. It was Sikorsky Aircraft’s first design competition win since the S-56 in 1951.
Sikorsky S-66
Year Designed: 1965
Quantity Built: 0
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-66 was Sikorsky Aircraft’s proposal entry for the U.S. Army’s Advanced Aerial Fire Support System design competition. A compound helicopter, the S-66 featured wings and an articulated tail rotor that swung 90 degrees to serve also as a pusher propellor.
Sikorsky S-67
First Flight: 20 August 1970
Quantity Built: 1
Summary:
After multiple military contract losses in the late 1960s, Sikorsky Aircraft funded development of the S-67 Blackhawk to compete in the gunship aircraft market. The S-67 featured a semi-compound design and reused the S-61 dynamic system. It set a helicopter world speed record of 191 knots.
Sikorsky S-68
Year Designed: 1970
Quantity Built: 0
Summary:
The S-68 was a design study for a commercial passenger transport helicopter based on Sikorsky S-58 but with engines relocated to above the cabin, similar to their placement on the Sikorsky S-61.
Sikorsky S-69
First Flight: 26 July 1973
Quantity Built: 2
Designation: XH-59A
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-69 Advancing Blade Concept (ABC) had two counter-rotating 3-bladed coaxial rigid rotors and twin turbojet engines. It reached 263 knot airspeed in a shallow dive.
Sikorsky S-70
First Flight: 17 October 1974
Quantity Built: 6
Designation: YUH-60A
Summary:
Winner of the U.S. Army’s Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) competition, the Sikorsky S-70 prototype was the forerunner to the S-70A Black Hawk helicopter.
Sikorsky S-70A
Quantity Built: 3000+
Designation: UH-60A
Summary:
The UH-60A was the first Black Hawk production model, incorporating technologies and innovations of the UTTAS prototype as well as design changes from UTTAS flight testing.
Sikorsky S-70A
UH-60L Family
Quantity Built: In Production
Models (U.S. Army):
UH-60L Black Hawk,
UH-60Q DUSTOFF, and
MH-60K
Models (U.S. Air Force):
MH-60G/HH-60G Pave Hawk
Summary:
The UH-60L was a major upgrade tho the UH-60A model, primarily increasing power and strength so it could carry more weight and operate in more extreme environments.
Sikorsky S-70A
UH-60M Family
Quantity Built: In Production
Models (U.S. Army):
UH-60M Black Hawk,
HH-60M MEDEVAC
Summary:
A major upgrade to the UH-60L model, the UH-60M incorporates new aerodynamic structural and cockpit avionics technologies. This includes a composite blade rotor system and a vibration control system developed by the Sikorsky S-92 program.
Sikorsky S-70B
First Flight: 11 February 1983
Quantity Built: In Production
Designation: SH-60B
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-70B is the Naval configuration of the S-70A (UH-60A), known as the Sea Hawk. It is in use by the U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and internationally.
Sikorsky S-71
Year Designed: 1973
Quantity Built: 0
Summary:
the Sikorsky S-71 was a gunship variant of the Sikorsky S-70 proposed as part of the U.S. Army’s Advanced Attack Helicopter (AAH) program. A full scale mockup was built.
Sikorsky S-72 RSRA
First Flight: 12 October 1976
Quantity Built: 2
Summary:
Known as the Rotor Systems Research Aircraft (RSRA), the Sikorsky S-72 was developed for NASA as a flying test bed for new rotor head and blade designs. The S-72 featured a compound design, side-mounted turbofan engines for auxiliary propulsion, and a unique crew escape system.
Sikorsky S-74
Year Designed: 1974
Quantity Built: 0
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-74 was the original design study for the Sikorsky S-76.
Sikorsky S-75 ACAP
First Flight: 27 July 1984
Quantity Built: 2
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-75 was an experimental helicopter built for the U.S. Army under the Advanced Composite Airframe Program (ACAP). Based on the Sikorsky S-76 design, the S-75 demonstrated the weight and cost savings potential of advanced composite materials.
Sikorsky S-76
First Flight: 13 March 1977
Quantity Built: In Production
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-76 was the first Sikorsky aircraft to be designed purely for commercial use, including the commercial passenger transport and and off-shore oil markets.
Sikorsky S-77
Year Designed: 1977
Quantity Built: 0
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-77 was a design study for a Sikorsky S-76 variant.
Sikorsky S-78
Year Designed: Unknown
Quantity Built: 0
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-78 was a design study for a commercial variant of the Sikorsky S-70.
Sikorsky X-WING
Year Built: 1986
Quantity Built: 0
Summary:
Perhaps the most technically-challenging concept Sikorsky ever developed, the X-Wing further advanced the S-72 RSRA’s rotor technologies by featuring a four-bladed stiff rotor blade system that could stop in flight to function as a fixed wing. The X-Wing was developed in collaboration with NASA, DARPA, and the U.S. Navy.
Sikorsky S-80
First Delivery: January 1989
Quantity Built: 11
Designation: H-53E
Summary:
Based on the Sikorsky S-65, the S-80 added a third engine, a seventh rotor blade, and increased the diameter of the main and tail rotors.
Sikorsky-Boeing RAH-66
First Flight: 4 January 1996
Quantity Built: 2
Summary:
A joint venture between Sikorsky and Boeing, the RAH-66 was built for the U.S. Army as an advanced scout/attack helicopter.
Sikorsky Cypher
First Flight: September 1997
Quantity Built: 1
Summary:
Cypher was an unmanned, autonomous rotorcraft developed with company funding for missions such as surveillance, target acquisition, and narcotics enforcement.
Sikorsky S-92
First Flight: 23 December 1998
Quantity Built: In Production
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-92 Helibus is a commercial transport helicopter developed with propulsion and dynamic systems technologies of the Sikorsky S-70.
Sikorsky S-95
First Flight: 27 October 2015
Quantity Built: In Production
Designation: CH-53K
Summary:
The Sikorsky S-95, more commonly known as the CH-53K, is an all-new technology helicopter that fits in the S-80’s deck footprint yet carries nearly 3 times the payload to high and hot landing zones. The design features enhanced survivability and reduced operating costs when compared the S-80.
