In the early 1970’s it became clear that there was a demand for a medium twin-engine turbine helicopter for the offshore and corporate market. Sikorsky launched a series of design studies that resulted in a decision to launch the S-76 in 1975. The design that resulted and the decision to proceed with production made it Sikorsky’s first helicopter made from scratch for the civilian market, without major components based on a military design. The other major innovation was that it represented Sikorsky’s first extensive application of composites for the dynamic system and the fuselage. The original version of this helicopter was the S-76A (also referred to as the S-76 Spirit – a name that did not last). This was superseded by the S-76A Mark II in 1982 and modification kits were made available for all earlier S-76A. In 1985 the S-76B was certificated. The S-76B, which was in production until 1997, focused on increasing hot and high performance and to increase payload. In 1991 the S-76C was introduced. This helicopter, which uses
Turbomeca engines, was intended as a direct replacement for the S-76A. In 1996, the S-6C was replaced by the S-76C+ and in 2005 the S-76C+ was replaced by the S-76C++. This helicopter has significantly more horsepower and thus has much improved hot and high performance.
The S-76D was announced at the 2008 HAI convention. First flight was accomplished in February 2009. Power is provided via two Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S FADEC engines producing 1,050 shp each. A Thales TopDeck avionics suite, with autopilot, is standard. New, all composite, main rotor blades are installed as well as “flexbeam” composite tail rotor blades. Optional main and tail rotor ice protection systems are available.
