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Sikorsky, Heli-One, and Milestone Form New Partnership

July 24, 2025By ePlane AI

Sikorsky

S-92 Helicopter

Heli-One

Sikorsky, Heli-One, and Milestone Establish Center of Excellence for S-92 Support in South America

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, together with Heli-One—the maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) division of CHC Helicopter Group—and Milestone Aviation, have announced a strategic partnership to create a Center of Excellence dedicated to supporting S-92® helicopter fleets in Brazil. Located in Rio de Janeiro and led by Heli-One, the center aims to consolidate the expertise of the three companies to provide comprehensive maintenance and embedded support services for S-92 operators throughout Brazil and the wider South American region.

Enhancing Operational Readiness and Support Capabilities

The initiative is designed to improve mission readiness and fleet availability, with a particular emphasis on rescue and recovery operations. Leon Silva, vice president of Global Commercial and Military Systems at Sikorsky, highlighted the partnership’s commitment to delivering reliable and rigorous support. He stated that the collaboration brings together industry-leading skills and technologies to extend the operational lifespan of the S-92 helicopter and maximize its readiness for customers.

Tom Burke, president and CEO of CHC Helicopter Group, underscored the timeliness of the partnership, noting the increasing adoption of the S-92 aircraft for critical missions in the region. By leveraging Heli-One’s expertise alongside Sikorsky and Milestone’s capabilities, the partnership aims to offer more integrated and efficient support services, thereby enhancing fleet availability for the growing number of S-92 operators in South America.

Milestone’s president and CEO, Pat Sheedy, emphasized the company’s dedication to supporting the expansion of Brazil’s commercial aviation market. He remarked that the combined strengths of the three organizations would enable a more robust and dependable service offering, ultimately improving operational efficiency and availability for customers.

Expanding Support and Market Presence

The partnership is exploring opportunities to broaden its support offerings for S-92 operators, including access to a comprehensive inventory of critical components such as gearboxes, blades, and dampers. Scheduled maintenance inspections, repairs, and overhauls are also planned, alongside enhanced supply chain management and logistics to streamline operations.

Sikorsky’s longstanding presence in Brazil’s defense and aerospace sectors spans over five decades, with more than 30 S-92 helicopters currently in operation across the country. These aircraft benefit from a local Forward Stocking Location in Rio de Janeiro, which supports operators including CHC Helicopter, Lider Aviation, and Omni Helicopters International. The S-92 holds certification from Brazil’s National Civil Aviation Agency for a variety of missions, including offshore oil and gas transport, search and rescue, regional airline service, and VIP transportation. Certification extends beyond Brazil to countries such as Colombia, Guyana, the Falkland Islands, Mexico, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Competitive Landscape and Industry Challenges

Despite the promising outlook, the partnership faces challenges amid intense competition from aerospace industry leaders like Boeing and Bombardier’s business jet divisions. Market reactions have been mixed, with some investors expressing concerns about the financial implications of the collaboration, particularly in the context of recent industry developments such as Boeing’s workforce reductions in its Artemis program. Competitors may respond by forming their own strategic alliances, adopting aggressive pricing strategies, or enhancing their product portfolios to maintain market share.

Nonetheless, Sikorsky, Heli-One, and Milestone remain focused on consolidating their position within the South American helicopter market and delivering enhanced support services to S-92 operators across the region.

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