Sikorsky delivers first S-92 helicopter to Bristow for search and rescue missions

UK-based Bristow has taken delivery of the first Sikorsky S-92 helicopter for deployment in search and rescue (SAR) missions.

Bristow was awarded a contract to offer SAR helicopter service in the UK in March 2013. The contract will start in April 2015 and run until 2026.

Bristow Group president and chief executive officer Jonathan Baliff said: "We are very excited to receive the first aircraft from Sikorsky for our UK search and rescue fleet.

"With more than 60 S-92 helicopters already in our inventory, we have come to know and appreciate the aircraft’s mission capabilities."

As part of the contract, Bristow would operate from 10 bases across Britain, mainly placed close to areas with high SAR incident rates, including Inverness, Manston, Prestwick, Caernarfon, Humberside, Newquay, St Athan, Lee-on-Solent, Sumburgh and Stornoway.

Bristow Helicopters’ UK SAR fleet of 22 aircraft will comprise 11 Sikorsky S-92 helicopters that are integrated with latest technology.

Sikorsky Commercial Systems & Services president Carey Bond: "At Sikorsky, we stand behind our mission statement: ‘We pioneer flight solutions that bring people home everywhere…every time.’

"Sikorsky would also like to thank the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Bristow as the operator for their choice of the S-92 helicopter for this very critical mission."