China MoT acquires 8 S-76D™ helicopters for rescue operations

The China Ministry of Transport (MOT) today accepted delivery of its final two S-76D™ helicopters in a ceremony at Sikorsky Aircraft’s commercial helicopter center. The MOT’s helicopter fleet, which is the foundation of China's airborne search and rescue (SAR) maritime operations, now totals 16 S-76® helicopters, eight of which are S-76D aircraft. 

In December 2012, the China MOT purchased four S-76D SAR helicopters, and then in July 2013 contracted for four additional aircraft of the same model. The latest SAR contract is the fifth that China's MOT has awarded to Sikorsky for the S-76 series of helicopters since 2000.

“We have had a long legacy of success with our S-76 aircraft, resulting in hundreds of lives being saved since 2001,” said Mr. Wang Zhenliang, Director General, China Rescue & Salvage Bureau, Ministry of Transport. “These two S-76D helicopter deliveries mark another significant milestone in our program, providing us with the latest technology and enhancing our capabilities for our search and rescue missions.”

“The search and rescue missions performed by the China MOT fulfill Sikorsky founder Igor Sikorsky’s vision for the helicopter as an instrument for saving lives. We are proud to support the work of the China MOT and its aircrews in using our aircraft to save the lives of so many people,” said Shane Eddy, President, Sikorsky Commercial Systems and Services.

Since January 2014, Sikorsky has completed S-76D helicopter deliveries into all mission segments including offshore oil, VIP and air medical transportation, in addition to search and rescue. Sikorsky has delivered more than 800 S-76 helicopters to customers globally since 1979, contributing daily to a growing number of more than 6.7 million flight hours.

The new generation S-76D helicopter, through its application of modern technologies, is designed to provide a substantial increase in performance, power and value. The S-76D helicopter’s baseline equipment includes powerful and efficient Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S engines; an advanced THALES TopDeck® integrated avionics system and four-axis autopilot; Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS) incorporated into fleet monitoring and analysis; active vibration control; and all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades.