South Korea selects Sikorsky S-92A+ for new presidential transport helicopter

Seoul will take four of the modernised rotorcraft to replace the three older examples operated by the Republic of Korea Air Force since 2007.

South Korea has reached an agreement with rotorcraft manufacturer Sikorsky covering four of the latest-generation S-92A+ VIP transport helicopters.

Announcing the deal on 6 November, Sikorsky says the order covers four new-build S-92 heavy-twins in the latest A+ configuration, which will be used by the Republic of Korea Air Force (ROKAF) for transporting South Korea’s president. That duty is currently handled by three legacy S-92s, which were delivered in 2007.

“Building on the Republic of Korea Air Force’s long-term experience operating the S-92A, we are confident the S-92A+ will continue supporting this critical mission with the highest standards of safety and reliability,” says Wonik Lee, South Korea country executive for Sikorsky parent Lockheed Martin.

Sikorsky tells FlightGlobal that the four rotorcraft will be produced in the US, with country-specific mission equipment modifications made in South Korea by KAI subsidiary Korea Aviation Engineering & Maintenance Service.

Delivery of the full four-aircraft fleet is expected to be complete by 2031, it adds.

The Sikorsky VH-92A Patriot, based on the S-92A+, is the latest helicopter to take on the ‘Marine One’ role of vertical-lift transport for the US president. Credit: US Marine Corps

The S-92A+ is the latest version of Sikorsky’s S-92 commercial helicopter, which has accrued more than 2 million flight hours across search and rescue, offshore oil and gas support and VIP transportation across 28 countries.

A militarised version of the standard S-92A is the basis for the US Marine Corps VH-92A ‘Marine One’ helicopters that transport the US president and staff.

Among the upgrades included on A+ variant are two new GE Aerospace CT7-8A6 turboshaft engines, which offer more power at higher altitudes and hotter temperatures and an additional 544kg (1,200lb) of payload.

The S-92A+ also includes the new Phase IV gearbox, which features an auxiliary lubrication system that automatically engages in the event of a loss of primary oil pressure. That system eliminates the need for an immediate landing in such a scenario and allows operators to safely reach their destination.

In 2025, Sikorsky general manager Rich Benton told FlightGlobal that type of redundancy is particularly important for a rotorcraft that is often flying over water.

“A lot of our S-92s are used in the oil and gas industry,” he said. “There’s not a lot of places to land [offshore].”

Final assembly of the S-92A+ takes place in Owego, New York, with supporting work taking place at Sikorsky’s flagship plant in Stratford, Connecticut.

Sikorsky expects the Owego plant, which long has specialised in systems integration, will eventually have capacity to produce 12 S-92A+ aircraft annually.

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