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STRATFORD: Sikorsky Aircraft announced today it has signed an agreement which makes effective a contract with the Ministry of National Defense, Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) of the Government of Turkey for 17 new S-70B SEAHAWK helicopters. First deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2009. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.
The contract is a Lot 2 agreement, which adds to seven S-70B SEAHAWK helicopters currently in the inventory of the Turkish Navy.
“This 17-SEAHAWK contract is one that Sikorsky, SSM and the Turkish Navy can all be proud of,” said Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino. “Not only will this provide the Turkish Navy with a total of 24 of the finest naval helicopters in the world, but it also provides solutions that help to clear the way for a new business partnership among Sikorsky, SSM and Turkish industry at a much more strategic level. This relationship will build upon the industrial cooperation foundations established under the prior Sikorsky-Turkey BLACK HAWK programs. Sikorsky is honored to have delivered well over 100 BLACK HAWKS under these programs.”
The S-70B helicopter is an international derivative of the U.S. Navy SH-60B SEAHAWK. The S-70B has a fully integrated glass cockpit with smart multifunction liquid crystal displays and a mission management system. Its flexible mission package includes dipping sonar, electronic surveillance measures, FLIR, multi-mode radar, aircraft survivability equipment, and Penguin and Hellfire missiles. Multi-mission capable, the S-70B can perform search and rescue, medical evacuation, surveillance, vertical replenishment and utility missions.
“This contract is a very good one for all parties involved,” said Murad Bayar, Undersecretary of SSM. “Under the terms of this agreement, Sikorsky has committed to a 50 percent offset obligation, which will bring both jobs and high technology to Turkish Industry. I share Sikorsky's vision that this effectively creates a solid basis for taking Sikorsky's relationship with Turkish industry to a higher, more strategic level.”
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, based in Stratford, Connecticut, USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacturing, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, USA, provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems.
