title: Sikorsky S-434
text: # Sikorsky S-434
  
  The Sikorsky S-434 is a light, turbine-powered helicopter. The S-434 is an improved development of the Schweizer S333.
  
  ## Design and development
  
  The prototype S-434 first flew on 18 December 2008 at Horseheads, New York. The S-434 evolved from the S-333, and has many features developed for the MQ-8 Fire Scout. It shares its cockpit layout with the S-333, which gives the crew very good visual capacities and handling characteristics.
  
  On June 15, 2009, Sikorsky announced the delivery of the first two S-434s to Saudi Arabia's Ministry of the Interior, the first of a total of nine.
  
  ## Variants
  
  ### S-434
  
      based on improvements developed for the MQ-8B; powered by one Rolls-Royce 250-C20W turboshaft engine of 320 shp.
  
  ## Operators
  
  ### Saudi Arabia
  
  * Ministry of the Interior
  
  ## Specifications (S-434)
  
  Data from Sikorsky Helicopter
  
  General characteristics
  
  * Length: 30 ft 10 in (9.40 m)
  * Height: 11 ft (3.4 m)
  * Cabin width: 67.6 in (1.72 m)
  * Cabin height: 53.3 in (1.35 m)
  * Empty weight: 1,345 lb (610 kg)
  * Gross weight: 2,900 lb (1,315 kg)
  * Max takeoff weight: 3,200 lb (1,451 kg) with external load
  * Fuel capacity: 84 US gal (70 imp gal; 318 L)
  * Powerplant: 1 × Rolls Royce 250-C20W turboshaft engine, 320 shp (240 kW) for take-off
  * Main rotor diameter: 27 ft 6 in (8.38 m)
  * Main rotor area: 792 sq ft (73.6 $m^2)$ 4-bladed main rotor
  
  Performance
  
  