Hamilton Sundstrand,
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn.: Hamilton Sundstrand, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., has been selected to supply integrated secondary power systems — consisting of the environmental control system, auxiliary power unit and main engine start system — for the U.S. Marines' fleet of CH-53K heavy lift helicopters.
The contract includes design, development and production work. Design and development will begin immediately with first hardware deliveries scheduled for 2009. This agreement has a potential value of more than $400 million.
Built by Sikorsky Aircraft, the CH-53K will be the world's premier heavy lift helicopter. Replacing the current inventory of CH-53E helicopters, the CH-53K is scheduled to achieve its Initial Operating Capability (IOC) in 2015.
The environmental control system and main engine start system will be built at Hamilton Sundstrand's Windsor Locks, Conn., facility while the Auxiliary Power Unit will be built at the company's San Diego, Calif., facility.
The environmental control system consists of flight deck and avionics air conditioning, cabin ventilation and heating, engine bleed system, and supply air for the onboard inert gas generation system.
Sikorsky previously awarded Hamilton Sundstrand a contract to supply the CH-53K's fly-by-wire flight control computers and primary main and tail rotor actuators.
“The CH-53K win brings Hamilton Sundstrand's integrated system approach from fixed-wing aircraft to the rotary wing market,” said Tim Morris, president of Hamilton Sundstrand's Aerospace Power Systems business. “I am extremely proud of the work our team did to find creative systems solutions to meet some of the challenging requirements of this new aircraft.”
