Korea Coast Guard acquires another S-92
The South Korean Coast Guard accepted delivery of its third S-92 twin-engine, medium-lift helicopter from Sikorsky on 30 September
The aircraft will be used to conduct maritime security and search and rescue (SAR) operations in the country’s territorial water.
“Our valued partnership with Sikorsky spans nearly a decade,” said Han Sangchul, Senior Superintendent and Final Acceptance Test Inspection Team Lead for the Korea Coast Guard. “We look forward to continued success as we grow our fleet of highly-capable search and rescue S-92 aircraft.”
The S-92 is fitted with two General Electric CT7-8A turboshaft engines and has a cruise speed of 280km/h with a range of 998km. In standard configuration, it has a capacity for two pilots and 19 passengers.
The South Korea Coast Guard acquired its first S-92 in March 2014, before gaining a second one in 2017. However, one of the Coast Guard’s helicopters suffered a crash near Mara Island in April 2022, in which all four people onboard were killed. A fourth helicopter of this type is scheduled for delivery next year.
Since delivery of its first S-92 in 2014, the Coast Guard has completed 195 rescues and flown over 2,700 flight hours.
Oliver Cuenca
Oliver Cuenca was a Junior Editor at the Voyageur Group. He was previously a News and Features Journalist for the rail magazine IRJ until 2021, and studied MA Magazine Journalism at Cardiff University. His favourite helicopter is the AW169 – the workhorse of the UK air ambulance sector! He also led the creation of Waypoint: The AirMed&Rescue podcast, serving as its Production Editor and co-host.