LAS VEGAS, Feb. 28, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), today delivered the 300^th S-92® helicopter. Era Group Inc. signed for the aircraft, configured for offshore oil worker transportation, in a ceremony at the 2018 Helicopter Association International Heli-Expo.

This aircraft, assembled in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, will join Era Group's fleet of eight Sikorsky helicopters and enter service in March in the Gulf of Mexico.

In 2016, Sikorsky recognized Era Group for being the first operator to enter revenue service with a Gross Weight Expanded (GWE) S-92 helicopter.  The GWE increases the maximum take-off weight of the S-92 helicopter from 26,500 to 27,700 pounds, increasing the available payload by 1,200 pounds that can be used for passengers or fuel. The addition of this aircraft marks Era's fourth GWE S-92 helicopter.

"In the year of Era's 70^th anniversary, we are thrilled to enhance the safety and availability of our fleet with another Sikorsky product," said Era Group President and CEO Chris Bradshaw. "The reliability of the S-92 provides the consistency our mission requires, and when minutes matter, Sikorsky's world-class customer service provides the support we need."  

"Sikorsky and Era have partnered for more than 60 years, beginning with Era's operation of the Sikorsky S-55 in 1956.  Since then, Sikorsky has been honored to be a part of Era's mission of providing safe, efficient and reliable transportation," said Sikorsky President Dan Schultz. "We've had a rich history together, and with the delivery of this aircraft, we look forward to an even brighter future."

The S-92 helicopter has become the industry's standard. It leads the way in compliance with the latest U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and European airworthiness safety standards by meeting or exceeding oil and gas industry requirements.  With more than 1.25 million fleet flight hours of service, the S-92 helicopter sets the standard for safety.  These aircraft perform a variety of missions including offshore oil transportation, search and rescue, Head of State and airline missions.

For more information visit Sikorsky Commercial Systems & Services.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 100,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

About Era

With 70 years of experience, Era is one of the largest helicopter operators in the world and the longest serving helicopter transport provider in the U.S. In addition to servicing its U.S. customers, Era also provides helicopters and related services to third-party helicopter operators and customers in other countries, including Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, India and Suriname. Era's helicopters are primarily used to transport personnel to, from and between offshore oil and gas production platforms, drilling rigs and other installations. In addition, Era's helicopters are used to perform emergency air medical, search and rescue, firefighting, utility, VIP transport and flightseeing services. Era also provides a variety of operating lease solutions and technical fleet support to third party operators. For more information, visit https://www.erahelicopters.com.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin