U.S. Department Of State Orders Two Upgraded S-61™ Helicopters For Air Transport In Afghanistan
Sikorsky Aerospace Services today announced an order for two upgraded S-61™ utility helicopters for use in Afghanistan to support drug
interdiction efforts. Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. Earlier this year, the State Department entered into a five- year indefinite delivery, indefi- nite quantity (“IDIQ”) contract for up to 110 upgraded S-61 air- craft for passenger and cargo transport missions in support of its worldwide operations. This IDIQ purchase agreement serves as the contracting vehicle for any U.S. Government agency to purchase upgraded S-61 aircraft. As a result of this latest order, two aircraft will support the U.S. Embassy and assist in the count-
er-narcotics missions of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Afghanistan. Earlier this month, the U.S. State Department ordered 11 addi- tional upgraded S-61 utility helicopters for use in Iraq and Afghanistan. “This order brings the total number of upgraded S-61 pur- chased to 17 aircraft. The first four aircraft ordered in February are currently in com- pletion and are scheduled for deployment in Afghanistan this fall,” added Anthony Serksnas, Director, S-61 Programs. The S-61 helicopter is known as an industry work-
horse, and for more than 50 years has reliably and safely per- formed missions for U.S. and foreign allied militaries. The upgraded S-61 incorporates key components including compos- ite main rotor blades (CMRB), a state-of-the-art glass cockpit and modular wiring harness – all of which dramatically improve aircraft supportability. Additional features have been incorporated to reduce pilot fatigue and maintenance requirements for increased safety. ◆
ROTORCRAFTPROFESSIONAL
8
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52