Japan has contracted with Sikorsky Aircraft to acquire 11 S-76D helicopters for Search and Rescue (SAR) operations by the Japan Coast Guard (JCG).
The new helicopters were ordered in three contracts that were finalized between February 2012 and March 2013. Sikorsky announced the contracts today at the Paris Air Show.
"The Japan Coast Guard has a long history with the S-76 model in the SAR role," said Christophe Nurit, Sikorsky's Vice President of Sales, Asia. "We are honored that JCG has chosen our most advanced S-76D helicopter variant for this critical life-saving mission."
Among other essential equipment crucial to the search and rescue mission, the JCG aircraft will feature a fully coupled four-axis SAR autopilot to reduce pilot workload and enhance overall mission safety.
Designed for safety, reliability and efficiency, the S-76D helicopter features all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades; a fully integrated THALES glass cockpit; health and usage monitoring system; active vibration control; and powerful Pratt &Whitney Canada PW210S engines, which deliver the best in class power-to-weight ratio and fuel burn with excellent payload and range benefits.
Japan’s first S-76D helicopter is scheduled to assume an operational role for the JCG in 2014.