Sikorsky Aircraft and RUAG Sign Letter of Cooperation for Aftermarket Services in Germany

STRATFORD, Conn., June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and RUAG today announced the signing of a Letter of Cooperation to explore aerospace industry cooperation that would assist in introducing the Cyclone(TM) multi-mission helicopter into Germany. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

"We see the potential for Maintenance and Repair Operation as well as integrated logistics support and completion capabilities for the Navy and Air Force programs in Germany, and are exploring the opportunities for cooperation with RUAG," said Joseph Gigantelli, Sikorsky Vice President, European Sales.

"Our intent is to provide Germany with the best technology that is available in-country and from around the world, and in doing so, provide a technologically superior aircraft," Gigantelli added.

RUAG's experience and acknowledged competence in building, completing, modifying, upgrading and maintaining military and civil aircraft and helicopters make it a competent partner to the German and leading international aviation industries. The aerospace and defence group's German production, design and maintenance facility is located in Oberpfaffenhofen near Munich and has been supporting helicopter fleets for the German forces and border patrol for more than 40 years.

"We highly value our cooperation with Sikorsky Aircraft as a world leader in helicopter production," said Wolfgang Neumann, Head of Sales & Programs Military Aircraft. "The Letter of Cooperation will allow us to bring together the core strengths of both Sikorsky and RUAG. Sikorsky's excellent product, combined with our expertise and experience in the German military aviation market, will guarantee products and services that best meet the customer's specifications and expectations."

The Cyclone helicopter provides multi-mission capabilities including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, and search and rescue. The aircraft is a derivative of the S-92® helicopter, which gets its basic design from the BLACK HAWK helicopter, a proven, rugged and durable aircraft.

Among the features of the Cyclone aircraft are enhanced rotor and drive designs, bird strike protection, a flaw- and damage-tolerant design, and protection from turbine bursts. In addition, the aircraft have crashworthy seats, crash-resistant fuel systems, and High Intensity Radio Frequency (HIRF) and lightning protection.

Sikorsky has been growing its European business activities over the last several years. In 2007, PZL Mielec in Poland became a Sikorsky company and is the future manufacturer of the S-70i(TM) BLACK HAWK helicopter. Sikorsky also is actively exploring business opportunities with strategic European entities for component manufacturing and service centers for the entire Sikorsky product line.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in aircraft design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

RUAG is an international technology group operating in the fields of aerospace and defence. The group's holding company is located in Berne (Switzerland). RUAG's production sites are located in Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Hungary, Sweden and the USA. The company employs a staff of 7,500 worldwide, with 2,000 working in Germany.

SOURCE Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.