Sikorsky Aircraft

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On March 5, 1923, the Sikorsky Aero Engineering Corporation was founded near Roosevelt Field, New York, by Igor Sikorsky, an immigrant to the United States who was born in Kyiv, Ukraine (then part of the Russian Empire).{{cite web |url=http://www.sikorsky.com/vgn-ext-templating-SIK/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid%3D2dd9e39d40a78110VgnVCM1000001382000aRCRD |title= About Sikorsky |access-date=June 5, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090702104052/http://www.sikorsky.com/vgn-ext-templating-SIK/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2dd9e39d40a78110VgnVCM1000001382000aRCRD |archive-date=July 2, 2009}}{{cite book |last=Sikorsky |first=Igor |title=The Story of the Winged-S |year=1944 |publisher=Dodd, Mead & Company |location=New York |isbn=9781258163556 |pages=160}} In 1925, the company name was changed to Sikorsky Manufacturing Company.{{cite book |last=Sikorsky |first=Igor |title=The Story of the Winged-S |year=1944 |publisher=Dodd, Mead & Company |location=New York |isbn=9781258163556 |page=185}} After the success of the S-38, the company was reorganized as the Sikorsky Aviation Corporation with capital of $5,000,000, allowing the purchase of land and the building of a modern aircraft factory in Stratford. In 1929, the company moved to Stratford, Connecticut, and it became a part of United Aircraft and Transport Corporation (later United Technologies Corporation or UTC) in July of that year.Spenser 1998{{cite book |last1=Sikorsky |first1=Igor |title=The Story of the Winged-S |date=1952 |publisher=Dodd, Mead & Company |location=New York |pages=154,183–184}}

File:Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation ad Model S-42 Clipper Flying Boat 1937.jpg Clipper flying boat from 1937]]

In the United States, Igor Sikorsky originally concentrated on the development of multiengine landplanes and then amphibious aircraft. In the late 1930s, sales declined and United Aircraft merged his division with Vought Aircraft. He then began work on developing a practical helicopter. After first flying the VS-300 he developed the Sikorsky R-4, the first stable, single-rotor, fully controllable helicopter to enter full-scale production in 1942, upon which most subsequent helicopters were based.

Sikorsky Aircraft remains a leading helicopter manufacturer, producing such well-known models as the UH-60 Black Hawk and SH-60 Seahawk, and experimental types such as the Sikorsky S-72. Sikorsky has supplied the Presidential helicopter since 1957. Sikorsky's VH-3 and VH-60 perform this role now.

The company acquired Helicopter Support Inc. (HSI) in 1998. HSI handles non-U.S. government aftermarket support for parts and repair for the Sikorsky product lines.[http://hsius.com/SASC/About/AboutUs/tabid/84/Default.aspx] {{dead link|date=March 2016}}{{cite web |url=http://www.hsius.com/spare.html |title=Spare Parts |website=HSI |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990203140602/http://www.hsius.com/spare.html |archive-date=February 3, 1999 |access-date=January 11, 2019 |url-status=live }}

UTC acquired Schweizer Aircraft Corp. in 2004,{{cite web |url=http://www.sacusa.com/Closing_Press_Release.PDF |title= Sikorsky's Acquisition of Schweizer is Complete |access-date=March 18, 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080410040550/http://www.sacusa.com/Closing_Press_Release.PDF |archive-date=April 10, 2008 }} after which it operated as a subsidiary of Sikorsky. The product lines of the two firms were complementary, and had little overlap, as Sikorsky primarily concentrates on medium and large helicopters, while Schweizer produces small helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), gliders, and light planes. The Schweizer deal was signed on August 26, 2004, exactly one week after the death of Paul Schweizer, the company's founder and majority owner. In late 2005, Sikorsky completed the purchase of Keystone Helicopter Corporation, located in Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Keystone had been maintaining and completing Sikorsky S-76 and S-92 helicopters prior to the sale.

File:Logo Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.svg

In 2007, Sikorsky opened the Hawk Works,{{cite web |author=John Pike |url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2007/10/mil-071008-sikorsky01.htm |title=Sikorsky opens HAWK WORKS™ completion center for military helicopters |website=Globalsecurity.org |date=October 5, 2007 |access-date=March 10, 2016}} a Rapid Prototyping and Military Derivatives Completion Center located west of the Elmira-Corning Regional Airport in Big Flats, New York. That same year Sikorsky purchased the PZL Mielec plant in Poland. The plant is assembling the S-70i for international customers.{{cite web |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/06/08/342785/sikorsky-breathes-new-life-into-pzl-mielec.html |title= Sikorsky breathes new life into PZL Mielec |access-date=June 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100611091515/http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2010/06/08/342785/sikorsky-breathes-new-life-into-pzl-mielec.html |archive-date=June 11, 2010 }}{{cite web |url=http://www.sikorsky.com/About+Sikorsky/News/Press+Details?pressvcmid%3Dec821075c9257210VgnVCM1000004f62529fRCRD |title= First S-70iTM Helicopter Fully Assembled at Sikorsky Facility in Poland |access-date=June 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110110110549/http://www.sikorsky.com/About+Sikorsky/News/Press+Details?pressvcmid=ec821075c9257210VgnVCM1000004f62529fRCRD |archive-date=January 10, 2011 }}

In February 2009, Sikorsky Global Helicopters was created as a business unit of Sikorsky Aircraft to focus on the construction and marketing of commercial helicopters.Sikorsky Press Release, February 23, 2009 The business unit combined the main civil helicopters that were produced by Sikorsky Aircraft and the helicopter business of Schweizer Aircraft that Sikorsky had acquired in 2004. It was based at Coatesville, Pennsylvania until 2022.

In 2011, Sikorsky laid off 400 workers at the Hawk Works plant, and later in 2012 the remaining 570 workers and closed all Sikorsky facilities in Chemung County; moving the military completion work to their West Palm Beach, Florida, facility.{{cite news |url=http://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Sikorsky-to-close-N-Y-plant-cut-570-jobs-3892430.php |title=Sikorsky to close N.Y. plant, cut 570 jobs |work=Connecticut Post |date=September 25, 2012 |access-date=July 20, 2015 |last1=Lee |first1=Richard }} The commercial products had already been moved to their Coatesville, Pennsylvania facility.

Sikorsky's main plant and administrative offices are located in Stratford, Connecticut, as is a large company-owned private heliport {{airport codes||KJSD|JSD}}.{{cite web|publisher=airnav.com|url=http://www.airnav.com/airport/JSD|date=August 13, 2002|access-date=August 23, 2020|title=Sikorsky Heliport}} Other Sikorsky facilities are in Trumbull, Shelton, and Bridgeport, Connecticut (with small company heliport {{airport codes|||CT37}});{{cite web|publisher=airnav.com|url=http://www.airnav.com/airport/CT37|date=August 13, 2002|access-date=August 23, 2020|title=Sikorsky Bridgeport Heliport}} Fort Worth, Texas; West Palm Beach, Florida; and Huntsville and Troy, Alabama. Sikorsky-owned subsidiaries are in Grand Prairie, Texas, and elsewhere around the world.

In 2023, Sikorsky Aircraft celebrated their 100-year anniversary.{{Cite web |title=Sikorsky, A 100-year legacy of innovation |url=https://www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/capabilities/sikorsky/sikorsky100.html |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Lockheed Martin |language=en}}{{Citation |title=#Sikorsky100: Our People | date=December 20, 2023 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrWdNh0vHFk |access-date=2024-01-22 |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Sikorsky Celebrates 100th Anniversary by Highlighting its Enduring Support of Missions in Europe at Paris Air Show |url=https://news.lockheedmartin.com/2023-06-19-Sikorsky-Celebrates-100th-Anniversary-by-Highlighting-its-Enduring-Support-of-Missions-in-Europe-at-Paris-Air-Show |access-date=2024-01-22 |website=Media - Lockheed Martin}}

In 2015, UTC considered Sikorsky to be less profitable than its other subsidiaries, and analyzed a possible spin-off rather than a tax-heavy sale.{{cite web |url=http://www.utc.com/News/Pages/United-Technologies-To-Explore-Strategic-Alternatives-For-Its-Sikorsky-Aircraft-Business.aspx |title=United Technologies To Explore Strategic Alternatives For Its Sikorsky Aircraft Business |website=Utc.com |date=November 3, 2015 |access-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126220955/http://www.utc.com/News/Pages/United-Technologies-To-Explore-Strategic-Alternatives-For-Its-Sikorsky-Aircraft-Business.aspx |archive-date=January 26, 2016 |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140127/DEFREG02/301270021/UTC-Weighs-Sikorsky-s-Future |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20140131212751/http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140127/DEFREG02/301270021/UTC-Weighs-Sikorsky-s-Future |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 31, 2014 |title=UTC Weighs Sikorsky's Future |website=Defensenews.com |date=January 27, 2014 |access-date=March 10, 2016}}{{cite news |url=http://aviationweek.com/defense/sikorsky-not-profitable-enough-united-technologies |title=Sikorsky Not Profitable Enough For United Technologies |work=Aviation Week & Space Technology |first=Michael |last=Bruno |date=March 12, 2015 |access-date=March 14, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150314215548/http://aviationweek.com/defense/sikorsky-not-profitable-enough-united-technologies |archive-date=March 14, 2015 |url-status=live}}

On July 20, 2015, Lockheed Martin announced an agreement to purchase Sikorsky from UTC for $9.0 billion.{{cite web |url=http://lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2015/july/sikorsky-acquisition-strategic-review.html |title=Lockheed Martin to Acquire Sikorsky Aircraft and Conduct Strategic Review of IT and Technical Services Businesses |access-date=July 20, 2015}} The deal required review from eight different jurisdictions, and the final approval came in November 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.verticalmag.com/news/article/LockheedMartinreceivesfinalregulatoryapprovalneededtocloseSi |title=Lockheed Martin receives final regulatory approval needed to close Sikorsky acquisition| Vertical Magazine - The Pulse of the Helicopter Industry |website=Verticalmag.com |access-date=March 10, 2016}} The sale was completed on November 6, 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/news/press-releases/2015/november/151106-lockheed-martin-acquires-sikorsky.html |title=Lockheed Martin Completes Acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft · Lockheed Martin |website=Lockheedmartin.com |access-date=March 10, 2016}}

In 1980, the American Helicopter Society International offered a prize of US$10,000 for the first human-powered helicopter flight (60-second duration, a height of 3 meters, and staying within an area of 10 x 10 m) and soon increased prize money to US$25,000. In 2010, Sikorsky Aircraft pledged to increase the prize sponsorship to US$250,000. Canadian engineers Dr. Todd Reichert and Cameron Robertson developed the world's largest human-powered helicopter with a team from the University of Toronto. The first flight of AeroVelo Atlas was achieved in August 2012, the 64-second, 3.3-m-flight that won the prize on June 13, 2013.{{cite web |url= http://vtol.org/news/ahs-congratulates-aerovelo-for-human-powered-helicopter-first-flight |title= AHS Congratulates AeroVelo for Human Powered Helicopter First Flight |work= AHS International – The Vertical Flight Technical Society |date= August 28, 2012 |access-date= November 9, 2016|quote= The AeroVelo Atlas human-powered helicopter made its first flight on Tuesday August 28, 2012, as part of the AHS Igor I. Sikorsky Human Powered Helicopter Competition.}}

Sikorsky designates nearly all of its models with S-numbers; numbers S-1 through S-27 were designed by Igor Sikorsky before he left the Russian Empire. Later models, especially helicopters, received multiple designations by the military services using them, often depending on purpose (UH, SH, and MH for instance), even if the physical craft had only minor variations in equipment. In some cases, the aircraft were returned to Sikorsky or to another manufacturer and additionally modified, resulting in still further variants on the same basic model number.

• Sikorsky S-28: projected four-engine, 32-passenger biplane airliner; Sikorsky's first American design (1919)
• Sikorsky S-29-A: twin-engine, cargo biplane, first Sikorsky aircraft built in the U.S. (1924)
• Sikorsky S-30: twin-engine biplane airliner/mailplane, never built (1925)
• Sikorsky S-31: single-engine biplane (1925)
• Sikorsky S-32: single-engine, two-passenger biplane (1926)
• Sikorsky S-33 Messenger: single-engine biplane (1925)
• Sikorsky S-34: twin-engine sesquiplane flying boat prototype (1927)
• Sikorsky S-35: three-engine biplane transport (1926)
• Sikorsky S-36 "Amphibion": eight-seat two-engine sesquiplane flying boat (1927)
• Sikorsky S-37 "Guardian": eight-seat two-engine sesquiplane; Sikorsky's last land-based fixed wing design (1927)
• Sikorsky S-38: eight-seat, two-engine sesquiplane flying boat (US Navy PS) (1928–1933)
• Sikorsky RS: transport flying boat (US Navy RS)
• Sikorsky S-39: five-seat, single-engine variant of S-38 (1929–1932)
• Sikorsky S-40: four-engine, 28-passenger monoplane flying boat (1931)
• Sikorsky S-41: twin-engine monoplane flying boat (1931) (USN RS-1); scaled-up monoplane version of S-38
• Sikorsky XP2S: twin-engine patrol flying boat prototype (1932)
• Sikorsky XSS: Naval scout flying-boat (1933)
• Sikorsky S-42 "Clipper": four-engine flying boat (1934–1935)
• Sikorsky XBLR-3: Bomber aircraft (1935-1936); Sikorsky's last fixed-wing design
• Sikorsky S-43 "Baby Clipper": twin-engine, amphibious flying boat (1935–1937) (Army OA-1, USN JRS-1); downsized, twin-engine version of S-42
• Sikorsky VS-44 "Excalibur": four-engine flying boat (1937)
• Sikorsky S-45: six-engine flying boat (for Pan Am), never built (1938)
• Sikorsky S-57/XV-2: Supersonic convertiplane with single blade retractable rotor. Never built.

• Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche
• Sikorsky Cypher: Doughnut-shaped UAV (1992)
• Sikorsky Cypher II: development of the Cypher (2001)
• Vertical Take-Off and Landing Experimental Aircraft: design and development of a hybrid VTOL/Conventional design
• Sikorsky Rotor Blown Winghttps://news.lockheedmartin.com/2025-03-10-Sikorsky-Successfully-Flies-Rotor-Blown-Wing-UAS-in-Helicopter-and-Airplane-Modes

• UAC TurboTrain (1968){{cite web|url=http://sikorskyarchives.com/train.html |title= Turbo-Train|access-date=June 28, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100329101947/http://www.sikorskyarchives.com/train.html |archive-date=March 29, 2010 }}
• Sikorsky ASPB Assault Support Patrol Boat (1969){{cite web|url=https://www.sikorskyarchives.com/Gunboat.php|title=Gunboat|access-date=May 2, 2020}}

File:Sikorsky S-58 landing c.jpg|H-34 Choctaw

File:CH-124 Sea King.jpg|Canadian CH-124 Sea King

File:Ch-54 Army.jpg|CH-54 Tarhe

File:CH-53 Super Stallion 2.jpg|CH-53E Super Stallion

File:MH-53J Pave Low III.jpg|MH-53J Pave Low III

File:Blackhawk.jpg|UH-60 Black Hawk

{{Portal|Aviation}}

• List of aerospace flight test centres
• Igor I. Sikorsky Memorial Bridge
• Sikorsky Memorial Airport

Comparable major helicopter manufacturers:

• AgustaWestland
• Airbus Helicopters
• Bell Helicopter
• Boeing Rotorcraft Systems
• MD Helicopters
• Russian Helicopters

{{Reflist}}

{{Refbegin}}

• Spenser, Jay P. (1998). "Sikorsky". Whirlybirds: A History of the U.S. Helicopter Pioneers. University of Washington Press. {{ISBN|0-295-97699-3}}.

{{Refend}}

{{Commons category|Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation}}

• [https://www.sikorsky.com Sikorsky homepage]
• [https://www.helis.com/timeline/sikorsky.php Sikorsky Timeline at the Helicopter History Site]
• [https://www.sikorskyarchives.com/ Sikorsky Archives site]
• {{cite web |title=Patents owned by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation |work=US Patent & Trademark Office |url=http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2Fsearch-adv.htm&r=0&p=1&f=S&l=50&Query=an%2F%22Sikorsky+aircraft%22&d=ptxt |access-date=December 6, 2005 |archive-date=June 3, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150603091438/http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&Sect2=HITOFF&u=%2Fnetahtml%2Fsearch-adv.htm&r=0&p=1&f=S&l=50&Query=an%2F%22Sikorsky+aircraft%22&d=ptxt |url-status=dead }}

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