The H-92 Superhawk is a military version of the Sikorsky S-92 commercial helicopter. It was developed as a private venture. It is fitted with more powerful engines, improved avionics and has some other modifications. It can be seen as a larger alternative to the UH-60 Black Hawk.

The Superhawk has been demonstrated to the US Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. However it received no production orders from the US military. Canada became the first customer of this military helicopter. In 2004 this country ordered 28 H-92 Superhawk helicopters for its Maritime Helicopter Programme. These are locally designated as CH-148 Cyclone. Deliveries were planned to begin in 2009 but were delayed multiple times due to development problems. First helicopters were delivered to Canada in 2015.

Eventually the S-92/H-92 has been ordered by a number of other countries, including Bahrain, Ireland, Kuwait, South Korea, Thailand, United Kingdom. A variant of this helicopter is used as a VIP transport to carry the US President. Interestingly in 2015 Sikorsky was acquired by Lockheed Martin Corporation. Still though the helicopters are marketed by Sikorsky Aircraft.

The H-92 has a new airframe, but uses some components of the H-60 helicopter.

The H-92 Superhawk can be tailored to meet various roles, including tactical transport, search and rescue, surveillance and other roles. For example some of the Canadian CH-148 Cyclone are used for anti-submarine ωλɾʄλɾɛ and carry torpedoes. The H-92 can be armed with door-mounted machine guns.

In utility configuration this helicopter can carry 22 troops. The Canadian CH-148 can carry 3 175 kg externally on a hook.

This helicopter is powered by General Electric CT7-8A series engines developing around 3 000 shp each. These are more powerful than engines used on the civilian S-92 helicopter. The H-92 uses a 4-blade main rotor. A number of safety features were incorporated into design of this helicopter.

Variants

CH-148 Cyclone is a Canadian designation of the H-92 Superhawk. In 2004 Canada ordered 28 helicopters for its Maritime Helicopter Programme to replace their CH-124 Sea King. Deliveries were planned to begin in 2009 but were delayed multiple times due to development problems, including the use of different engines. Canadian helicopters are fitted with uprated General Electric CT7-8A7 turboshaft engines, developing around 3 000 shp. First helicopters were delivered to Canada in 2015. This helicopter achieved initial operational capability in 2018. Deliveries were planned to be completed in 2021. These helicopters were modified for shipboard operations and operate on frigates. The Cyclones are used for anti-submarine ωλɾʄλɾɛ, surveillance, search and rescue missions and can also provide tactical transport.

VH-92 is a variant of the S-92 that will be used to fly the US President. In 2014 the Sikorsky VH-92 won the competition to replace the VH-3D Sea King and VH-60N White Hawk, that transport the US President. It made its first flight in 2017. Six of these helicopters were ordered for delivery in 2017. Eventually additional 17 helicopters were ordered and production is planned to begin in 2020. Out of these 23 helicopters there will be a total of 21 VH-92A helicopters used for VIP transport and 2 CH-92A helicopters will be used for training.