Black Hawk

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates - Sikorsky BLACK HAWK helicopters flown by the U.S. Army in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters of war have accumulated more than 1 million fleet flight hours without a single Class A material failure with the aircraft, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. reported today from the Dubai Air Show. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

The U.S. Army currently operates more than 350 BLACK HAWK helicopters combined in these two Overseas Contingency Operations. BLACK HAWK helicopters have flown these missions since February 2003 and are maintaining an 84 percent mission capable readiness rate while operating in the extreme heat, wind, and sand conditions.

While the U.S. Army’s fleet of BLACK HAWK helicopters continues to log fleet hours in theater, BLACK HAWK aircraft operating in the Middle East region are also performing well for Sikorsky customers. There are approximately 150 BLACK HAWK helicopters operating elsewhere in the Middle East.

“The BLACK HAWK helicopter has proven itself in the most extreme and rigorous environments, and each milestone is a testament to its durability and effectiveness,” said Scott Starrett, President, Sikorsky Military Systems. “It is a proven, reliable combat aircraft.”

The U.S. Army’s total BLACK HAWK helicopter fleet exceeds 1,740 aircraft and has amassed nearly 6 million flight hours.

More than 3,000 BLACK HAWK helicopters are in use today, operating in 27 different countries. Designed to stringent U.S. Military standards, the BLACK HAWK helicopter has become the leader in multi-mission-type aircraft. Among the mission configurations it serves are troop transport, medical evacuation, electronic warfare, attack, assault support and special operations.

The U.S. Air Force is trying a second time to replace its approximately 100 HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue helicopters with a newly designed helicopter.
The new plan, released March 23 by the Aeronautical Systems Center, calls for awarding a contract in 2012 and reaching initial operational capability with eight aircraft by September 2015. No date has been set for replacing all HH-60Gs.Related Topics
Along with the timeline, the HH-60 Personnel Recovery Recapitalization Program lays out the likely performance requirements for the new helicopter. The proposed specifications are similar to those of the Pave Hawk, built by Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.
The new helicopter should be able to fly about 250 miles out and back without refueling, as well as reach a sustained speed of at least 143 mph and hover at 6,000 feet fully loaded.
No requirement is set for patient capacity, although operational scenarios in the proposal cite the need to carry two wounded troops. The plan, however, does call for an aircrew of four - two pilots and two flight engineers/aerial gunners - and room for three pararescuemen and their gear.
Air Force officials posted the plan on Federal Business Opportunities, [Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien] the government site where all contract solicitations and similar requests must be published.
The HH-60 recapitalization program is a successor to the canceled Combat Search and Rescue-X project, killed last year by Defense Secretary Robert Gates. A rescue version of Boeing's HH-47 Chinook won the CSAR-X competition in 2006, but the Air Force withdrew the contract award after the Government Accountability Office faulted the service's evaluation of entries from Boeing, Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin.
The Air Force also has a $313 million project to buy nine HH-60Ms in the next two years to replace HH-60Gs that are old or have been lost in crashes.

SHELTON, Connecticut -

Sikorsky Aerospace Services announced today the signing of a contract with the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command (RSLFAC) to upgrade its fleet of BLACK HAWK helicopters from the UH-60 A model configuration to the more modern UH-60L aircraft configuration.

Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

Based on the success of the H-60 Helicopter Recapitalization and Upgrade Program on U.S. Army BLACK HAWK aircraft, the H-60 helicopter modernization program includes comprehensive fleet upgrades for Sikorsky’s global customers.

The Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command (RSLFAC) A-to-L conversion plan is the second international modernization program under contract with SAS.

The first program is currently under way at Chase Field Operations Center in Texas, a Sikorsky Aerospace Services facility.

The A-to-L upgrade program incorporates key improvements consisting of a T700 to T701D engine upgrade for increased power and reliability, and upgraded flight controls, avionics and instrument panel modifications.

Additionally, the upgraded H-60 helicopters will be equipped with a new Aircraft Flight Control Computer (AFCC) as well as new wiring harness, high speed shaft and seal lead acid battery.

First S-70i BLACK HAWK Helicopter Completes its Debut Flight

[Vous devez être inscrit et connecté pour voir ce lien]

WEST PALM BEACH, Florida | The first S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter has successfully completed its first flight, officially launching an international variant and the newest Sikorsky Aircraft product to follow in the legacy of the BLACK HAWK helicopter. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

Aircraft 0001, the first in the new product line, was built at PZL Mielec, a Sikorsky Aircraft company in Poland. PZL Mielec has been established as the hub of the S-70i program for international customers. The successful first flight of the S-70i aircraft took place on July 1 at the Sikorsky Development Flight Center.

“Aeronautical history was made today with the first flight of the S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter. This aircraft has been designed and developed by an international team and is ready for the world market,” said Debra A. Zampano, S-70i Senior Program Manager, International Military Programs.

“We weathered the challenges of any development program by collaborating with our partners in Poland and our global suppliers. The language of innovation is universal, and the success of this program is proof of that: We are celebrating a key milestone of first flight executed on time and flawlessly.”

This new international variant utilizes a global supply chain and is the first BLACK HAWK helicopter ever to be assembled in Europe.

“As Sikorsky Aircraft continues to grow internationally, we recognize the significance of this new integration of manufacturing and supply chain activities as a major leap forward for our company,” said Michael Ambrose, Vice President, International Military Programs. “The S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter brings together new technologies, new manufacturing capabilities, and a new design, all of which have resulted in the most advanced, tactical multi-mission helicopter that will provide reliable and safe transportation for militaries around the world.”