Colombia contracts for Black Hawk upgrades

STRATFORD, Conn., Nov. 6 (UPI) -- The Colombian air force has contracted Sikorsky Aerospace Services to reconfigure six Black Hawk helicopters with new upgraded technologies.

Under the contract, Sikorsky will convert six Colombian air force UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters to the new UH-60L configuration.

Sikorsky officials say the UH-60A to UH-60L conversion for the Colombian air force, which operates the third-largest Black Hawk helicopter fleet in the world, includes an upgraded engine, gearbox system and flight controls, among other modifications.

"As the Black Hawk helicopter manufacturer, Sikorsky is uniquely qualified to do this work for governments around the world," David Adler, Sikorsky Aerospace Services president, said in a statement.

"We expect to significantly grow this part of our global maintenance and modifications business."