News & Insights
Enhances support for S-92 operations in South America with rigorous and dependable fleet services and embedded maintenance capabilities.
RIO DE JANEIRO, July 24, 2025 – Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), Heli-One, a division of CHC Helicopter Group, and Milestone Aviation (“Milestone”) today announced an initiative to establish a Center of Excellence for S-92® helicopter fleets in Brazil.
In a significant move to bolster the South American helicopter industry, this initiative demonstrates each company’s shared commitment to providing exceptional S-92 services in the region, with a particular focus on supporting rescue and recovery operations.
The S-92 Center of Excellence, to be based in Rio de Janeiro and led by CHC Helicopter Group’s MRO division Heli-One, intends to leverage the combined expertise of the companies to provide customers with comprehensive support services and embedded maintenance capabilities. Its objective is to further enhance mission readiness status and S-92 fleet availability in Brazil and other South American countries.
"We are committed to providing our customers with rigorous and dependable capabilities that ensure the continued success of the S-92 helicopter,” said Leon Silva, vice president of Global Commercial and Military Systems at Sikorsky. “This initiative combines the best skills, expertise and technologies from across the industry to enable customers to keep their S-92 helicopters in service for longer and maximize operational readiness.”
“The time is right for establishing an S-92 Center of Excellence in Brazil as more and more customers select the aircraft for their operations, including for rescue and recovery” said Tom Burke, president and chief executive officer at CHC Helicopter Group. “By utilizing the knowledge of our Heli-One division and working together with Sikorsky and Milestone, we will be able to offer more integrated and efficient support services and maximize availability for the growing S-92 fleet in region.”
"This initiative is a testament to our commitment to supporting the growth of the commercial aviation market in Brazil,” said Pat Sheedy, president and chief executive officer at Milestone. “By combining our expertise with that of Sikorsky and Heli-One, we will be able to provide a more robust and reliable service to our customers, ultimately enhancing the availability and efficiency of their operations."
The companies have already begun identifying opportunities to expand their collaboration and the following support provisions for S-92 operators are being considered:
- Access to a comprehensive inventory of critical supplies and parts, including gearboxes, blades, and dampers
- Scheduled maintenance inspections, repair and overhauls
- Improved supply chain management and logistics
Sikorsky has advanced Brazil’s defense and aerospace priorities for more than fifty years, and over 30 S-92 aircraft operate in country supported by a local Forward Stocking Location (FSL) in Rio de Janeiro near operators CHC Helicopter, Lider Aviation, and Omni Helicopters International. The S-92 helicopter is certified by Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency in all production configurations, including offshore oil and gas transportation, search and rescue, as well as regional airline passenger service and VIP transportation. It is also certified in Colombia, Guyana, Falkland Islands, Mexico, as well as Trinidad and Tobago.
Sikorsky has announced several enhancements to the S-92 helicopter in recent months reflecting its continued commitment to the commercial market and investment in the S-92 platform.
The successful execution of a S-92 helicopter Center of Excellence in Brazil depends on internal approvals between the three companies, and more details will be shared in the coming months.