FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced today that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior (MOI) has become the launch customer for the new S-70i helicopter. The MOI signed a contract to acquire three of the latest model aircraft in the celebrated Black Hawk helicopter line, and has taken options to acquire 12 additional S-70i helicopters. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.
Delivery of the first helicopter is scheduled for early 2011. The aircraft will perform transport, border protection and other missions.
“We are proud to announce the sales launch of the S-70i international Black Hawk to our valued customer, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Interior. The S-70i helicopter continues the legendary Black Hawk history of providing safe and reliable transportation for militaries around the world with exceptional value,” said Michael Ambrose, vice president of international military programs at Sikorsky. “Sikorsky has a long and honored history with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and the S-70i is the next exciting chapter in our relationship. We also look forward to further expanding this relationship in the years to come.”
The new S-70i Black Hawk helicopter was designed for the international marketplace. The helicopter incorporates the latest technology with advanced features such as a fully integrated digital cockpit with a dual digital automatic flight control system and coupled flight director. It also features an active vibration control system that will smooth the overall ride of the aircraft. The dual GPS/INS system with digital map provides accurate and redundant navigation for the most demanding of tactical environments. Customers around the world will benefit from the S-70i helicopter’s modern, robust aircraft configuration and ability to leverage existing interoperability with Sikorsky’s worldwide fleet of Black Hawk helicopters.
The new S-70i international variant utilizes a global supply chain and is the first Black Hawk helicopter ever assembled in Europe. PZL Mielec, a Sikorsky Aircraft company in Poland, 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 in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., USA, provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.
