Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp., and Boeing signed a teaming agreement on Jan. 13 to submit a joint proposal in response to the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate solicitation for the Army’s Joint Multi-Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) Phase 1 program.
The JMR TD supports the Department of Defense’s Future Vertical Lift program to deliver the next generation of vertical lift aircraft with greater performance, reliability and affordability.
“We are excited about this opportunity and for our customer. The Sikorsky and Boeing team brings together exceptional technical expertise,” said Mick Maurer, president of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. “Our customer can be assured this collaboration will bring together innovative, industry-leading engineering expertise with a deep bench of program leadership talent, and builds upon the combined resources of both companies to deliver a revolutionary capability for the warfighter at an affordable cost for the U.S. taxpayer.”
“Our teaming agreement is the continuation of a long-standing relationship between Boeing and Sikorsky and reflects a common vision for the future of Army aviation," said Chris Chadwick, president of Boeing Military Aircraft. “Our combined technical strengths and our collective program management expertise make this partnership an exciting development in meeting the Army’s JMR program objectives.”
The Sikorsky and Boeing team will compete to build and fly one or more demonstrator aircraft in 2017 to be evaluated for next-generation vertical lift performance in a medium-lift-sized aircraft.
A unit of The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA], Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world’s largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 60,000 employees worldwide.
Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) announces plans to structurally repair sevendamaged UH-60L BLACK HAWK helicopters for the Colombian Army (COLAR) at its base depot in Tolemaida, Colombia. To ensure sustained support for operations as mandated by the Colombian Army, the Colombian Army Aviation (part of the Army’s Combined Arms Team) has continued to expand its in-country BLACK HAWK maintenance services – tripling the size of the Sikorsky Depot Team.
“Colombia has been our valued customer for over thirty years. Our ability to support the operational readiness of the Colombian Armed Services is paramount in their efforts to ensure national order and security,” said Frank DiPasquale, SAS Vice-President of Sales & Strategic Relationships. “The capacity to perform these repairs in-country will represent significant savings to our customer and underscores our ability to be a full life-cycle service provider. The success of this program provides economical options for Sikorsky BLACK HAWK operators worldwide.”
Colombia operates the world’s fourth-largest BLACK HAWK fleet. The technical and tactical characteristics of the UH-60L fleet provide the mobility and penetration required by the Colombian Army to execute a variety of dynamic missions. To provide the requisite support to COLAR units, the Air Assault Aviation Division of the National Army requires optimum fleet readiness and airworthiness. The UH-60L aircraft support air assault, reconnaissance, supply and other missions.
About Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the aftermarket business of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. Its Sikorsky Aerospace Services business designs and applies advanced logistics and supply chain solutions for commercial rotary, military rotary and fixed wing operators.
United Technologies Corp. [NYSE: UTX], based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide.