Sikorsky to develop Combat Rescue Helicopters for U.S. Air Force
NewsJune 27, 2014
STRATFORD, CT. The U.S. Air Force has awarded Sikorsky Aircraft with a 1.28 billion Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract to develop new combat search and rescue (SAR) helicopters.
Sikorsky will use the UH-60M Black Hawk as a model for the rescue mission systems. Like the UH-60M helicopter, the aircraft will feature T700-GE-701D engines, composite wide-chord main rotor blades, and fatigue- and corrosion-resistant machined aero-structures to sustain maneuverability at high density altitudes.
As part of the contract, Sikorsky will deliver four Combat Rescue Helicopters, as well as seven aircrew and maintainer training systems. Initial training of U.S. Air Force aircrew and maintainers and five Combat Rescue Helicopters are also expected to be delivered by 2020, once additional aircraft and training options are exercised.
"We are honored that the Air Force has selected Sikorsky to develop and build the new Combat Rescue Helicopter," said Mick Maurer, Sikorsky President. "Since 1943, Sikorsky has proudly provided the combat rescue helicopter platform to enable the Air Force to perform one of its most important and sacred missions – bringing our downed service members home safely. I'm tremendously pleased that we will continue to do so for years to come."
This EMD contract is the first step in the eventual production and fielding of up to 112 aircraft, with a potential value of approximately $7.9 billion.
For more information, visit www.sikorsky.com.
