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Japanese coast guard orders helicopters

SINGAPORE, Feb. 14 (UPI) -- Japan's coast guard has ordered four S-76D helicopters from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and its local partner Mitsubishi.

The Japanese coast guard has flown legacy models of the S-76 and the new, medium-sized utility aircraft are to replace helicopters damaged as a result of last year's tsunami.

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"The S-76 helicopter has performed well for the Japan coast guard through the years, with the S-76C, S76C+ and S-76C++ models each delivering a consistently high standard of reliability and safety that Sikorsky customers have come to expect," said Christophe Nurit, Sikorsky vice president of Sales, Asia.

"This legacy of dependability and performance has served the Japan coast guard well in the demanding maritime and shipboard environments in which it serves and Sikorsky is proud to bring the latest high-performing S-76 model to its fleet."

The purchase was announced at the Singapore Air Show.

The S-76D helicopter features a Thales integrated avionics system and autopilot, active vibration control and PW210S engines from Pratt and Whitney Canada. It has a cruise speed of 178 mph, a range of 473 miles and a service ceiling of 13,800 feet.

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