billingsgazette.com, HARTFORD, Conn. – Sikorsky Aircraft signed contracts Tuesday with the Canadian government valued at about $4.2 billion for the purchase and maintenance of 28 H-92 maritime helicopters. The award had been announced in July.
The helicopters are destined to replace Canada's aging Sea King helicopters, which are used for military and rescue missions.
Sikorsky beat out a team led by AgustaWestland, the European consortium. Variants of the two helicopters that went head-to-head in this competition are being pitched to become the next-generation presidential helicopter in the United States.
Delivery of the first H-92 helicopter to Canada is scheduled for 2008. Sikorsky signed a contract worth about $1.5 billion for the helicopters and another valued at $2.7 billion for in-service support over 20 years.
The rival offering, known as Team Cormorant, challenged the contract decision in the Canadian courts in September, alleging the government ''committed serious errors” in evaluating the two bids. That challenge is pending.
