Sikorsky, Turkey sign agreements on S-70i production

STRATFORD, Conn., March 4 (UPI) -- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. has signed a series of agreements with Turkish entities for the assembly of S-70i helicopters.

The agreements also license the transfer of certain manufacturing technology to Turkish industry, the company said.

"This program is unprecedented in Sikorsky's 90-year history," said Sikorsky President Mick Maurer. "We have signed contracts that collectively will raise our already strong supplier and customer relationships in Turkey to levels that we expect will endure for decades.

"We are very pleased that these agreements also will potentially open additional markets for the world's leading utility military helicopter while strengthening Turkish industry's position as a world-class aerospace provider."

The S-70i is the international variant of the Black Hawk helicopter. Turkey has designated it the 109 S-70i.

Under agreements, Turkey's aerospace industry -- mainly Turkish Aerospace Industries Inc. and Aselsan A.S. -- will manufacture 109 T-70 helicopters for operation by the Turkish government and also assemble the helicopters for Sikorsky. As many as 600 aircraft could be produced over the next 30 years, the company said.

TAI will assemble the aircraft using American-made and Turkish components, while Aselsan will develop a new cockpit avionics system for the aircraft.