ORLANDO, Fla., 3 Feb. 2006. Sikorsky Aircraft has signed agreements with two new teammates in its bid for the U.S. Air Force's CSAR-X helicopter competition.
According to the contracts announced at a trade show here:
* Aerospace Integration Corp. (AIC) will supply system engineering and flight test support, and
* Rockwell Collins Simulation & Training Solutions, LLC, will provide training solutions.
The Air Force launched the multibillion-dollar CSAR-X competition in May 2005 to replace its current fleet of Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters.
Sikorsky's offering, the HH-92 weapons system, a military variant of the S-92 helicopter, offers the best combination of survivability, performance, interoperability, safety and cost for the vital CSAR-X mission.
The Canadian government has already contracted with Sikorsky for 28 H-92 helicopters, designated the CH-148 Cyclone, to conduct a variety of missions including search and rescue, passenger and cargo transfer, medical evacuations and tactical transport.
** AIC will provide engineering
Aerospace Integration Corp. (AIC) is a systems design and integration company that delivers quick-response, concept-to-combat solutions for U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF) and other military and commercial operators. They specialize in aircraft systems design, technology innovation and total systems integration for SOF mission platforms.
Under the teaming agreement, AIC would provide system engineering associated with the special mission systems on the HH-92 weapons system. The company also would supply flight test support during the Operational Test and Evaluation phase of the CSAR-X program as well as act as a supply support interface for the U. S. Air Force. Lastly, the HH- 92 aircraft would receive mission systems modification at AIC facilities in Crestview, Fla.
"We are proud to have AIC onboard our HH-92 team. AIC's expertise with regard to special operation missions will provide a greater understanding of what the customer ultimately needs on today's battlefield. Their integration and customization expertise will both be great assets as the program continues to progress," said Paul Martin, Sikorsky senior vice president of government and advanced programs.
Correspondingly, Maj Gen (Retired) Richard Comer, executive VP of AIC, stated that his company "is proud to work with the Sikorsky team. We plan to make the next rescue aircraft the best one possible."
Founded in 1997, AIC has extensive, documented performance success in delivering turn-key systems integration for every major platform in the U.S. special operations fleet. The company maintains permanent operations in nine states including Corporate Headquarters and Airborne Systems Division Aircraft Modification Complex in Crestview, Florida; Army Aviation Division in Huntsville, Alabama; Ground Systems Division in New Jersey; and customer liaison offices in Arkansas, Georgia, North and South Carolina, Texas, and Washington State. For more information, see www.aicworld.com.
** Rockwell Collins will design training system
Under the agreement, Rockwell Collins will provide seamless integration between the avionics system and the training systems for the HH- 92.
"We are proud to offer Rockwell Collins' simulation and training capabilities for the HH-92. Our goal and strategy is to create a total value and life support solution for the customer that operates, maintains and sustains the weapons system from both operational and cost perspectives," said Paul Martin, Sikorsky's senior vice president of government and advanced programs.
"The concurrent design of the aircraft, training system, and avionics will reduce overall program risk and build off of advances already being made in the Canadian Maritime Helicopter program," said Tony Syme, vice president of simulation & training solutions for Rockwell Collins.
This teaming agreement builds upon a long relationship between Rockwell Collins and Sikorsky. In addition to Rockwell Collins' proven avionics capabilities on the S-92 and S-70 and the company is also a proven supplier of rotary wing training systems, including work on the UH-60 and MH-60.
Rockwell Collins is a leader in the design, production, and support of communication and aviation electronics for commercial and government customers. The company's 17,000 employees in 27 countries deliver industry-leading communication, navigation, surveillance, display, flight control, inflight entertainment, information management, and maintenance, training and simulation solutions. For more information, see www.rockwellcollins.com.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacturing and service. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. of Hartford, Conn., which provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries. For more information, see www.sikorsky.com.
