Bell 525 Relentless vs Leonardo Aw609 Tiltrotor vs Sikorsky S 76d

The Bell 525 Relentless and Sikorsky S‑76D are conventional medium helicopters, while the Leonardo AW609 is a tiltrotor that trades helicopter-like vertical lift for higher cruise speed and airplane-like en‑route efficiency. In category terms, the 525 targets the “super‑medium” class with more cabin volume and payload than typical medium twins, whereas the S‑76D sits in the established medium/transport-VIP class with a long track record in offshore and corporate roles. The AW609 occupies a distinct tiltrotor category aimed at point‑to‑point missions where speed matters. For range, the AW609 is generally positioned to fly farther and faster than conventional helicopters in its size bracket, while the Bell 525 is designed for long-range missions typical of offshore and executive transport and often edges the S‑76D on advertised range depending on configuration and reserves. The S‑76D offers solid medium-helicopter range but is typically the shortest-legged of the three. In passenger capacity, the Bell 525 is usually configured for the most passengers, the S‑76D typically carries fewer in executive or offshore layouts, and the AW609 generally falls between them depending on cabin fit.