Turkey Orders 17 Sikorsky S-70B Helicopters

Released on Friday, November 03, 2006

Sikorsky Aircraft announced today it has signed an agreement which makes effective a contract with the Ministry of National Defense, Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) of the Government of Turkey for 17 new S-70B SEAHAWK helicopters. First deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2009. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.

The contract is a Lot 2 agreement, which adds to seven S-70B SEAHAWK helicopters currently in the inventory of the Turkish Navy.

"This 17-SEAHAWK contract is one that Sikorsky, SSM and the Turkish Navy can all be proud of," said Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino. "Not only will this provide the Turkish Navy with a total of 24 of the finest naval helicopters in the world, but it also provides solutions that help to clear the way for a new business partnership among Sikorsky, SSM and Turkish industry at a much more strategic level. This relationship will build upon the industrial cooperation foundations established under the prior Sikorsky-Turkey BLACK HAWK programs. Sikorsky is honored to have delivered well over 100 BLACK HAWKS under these programs."

The S-70B helicopter is an international derivative of the U.S. Navy SH-60B SEAHAWK. The S-70B has a fully integrated glass cockpit with smart multifunction liquid crystal displays and a mission management system. Its flexible mission package includes dipping sonar, electronic surveillance measures, FLIR, multi-mode radar, aircraft survivability equipment, and Penguin and Hellfire missiles. Multi-mission capable, the S-70B can perform search and rescue, medical evacuation, surveillance, vertical replenishment and utility missions.