Sikorsky contracts BAE for cockpits

PHOENIX, Feb. 4 (UPI) -- U.S. company Sikorsky Aircraft has contracted BAE Systems to develop cockpit seats and cabin armor for the CH-53K Super Stallion heavy-lift cargo helicopter.

British company BAE says its Occupant Protection business unit will develop the CH-53K cockpit seats and cabin armor systems for Sikorsky. Under the approximately $90 million deal, BAE's seat and armor technologies will go to support Sikorsky's plan to build 156 of the CH-53K helicopters.

BAE officials say the cockpit design will be based on the company's new S7000 family of armored seats. BAE will be expected to begin deliveries of the new cockpit by 2010.

"Whereas other aircraft armor applications are usually done as retrofits to existing aircraft, this system will be designed and qualified into the aircraft, ensuring that the armor meets the same safety, interface and airworthiness standards as all other equipment on the CH-53K," Don Dutton, BAE Systems vice president of Occupant Protection Systems, said in a statement.