Sikorsky says it has completed developmental flight tests of its S-92 helicopter, fitted with a search and rescue automatic flight control system. A company news release says the AFCS is “the first to fly automated approaches to a set position ‘hooked’ by a search radar, flight management system way point, thermal imager, or digital map” In effect, it enables flight crews to continuously look out of the cockpit, making possible “a nighttime, [instrument flight rules] rescue in icing conditions.” The civil S-92 system is a subset of a “sophisticated” system in the company’s CSAR-X entry the H-92 Superhawk.
As Air Force leaders consider concepts of operations for Collaborative Combat Aircraft, sustainment in the field—and easing that support by using standard parts and limiting variants—should be a key consideration, according to a new study from AFA's Mitchell Institute of Aerospace Studies.