Spirit Delivers Third SDTA Fuselage to Sikorsky for Production Representative CH-53K Helicopter

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Jun 19, 2015, 11:00 ET

WICHITA, Kan., June 19, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. [NYSE: SPR] today announced it has successfully delivered to Sikorsky the third fuselage section for the CH-53K 'King Stallion' heavy lift helicopter program's System Demonstration and Test Article (SDTA) contract. Consisting of an integrated cockpit and cabin structure with a separately attached tail section, the composite-skinned fuselage will enable prime contractor Sikorsky to begin assembling the third of four SDTA aircraft to further solidify the final production configuration of the CH-53K aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps.

The composite-skinned fuselage will enable prime contractor Sikorsky to begin assembling the third of four SDTA aircraft to further solidify the final production configuration of the CH-53K aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps.

"Spirit AeroSystems is pleased to be a major supplier to a new generation, heavy-lift helicopter capability for the Marine Corps," said Phil Anderson, Spirit senior vice president of Defense Programs. "The strong, lightweight composite structures we are providing to Sikorsky will in turn give the Marine Corps a much needed increase in payload capability."

Sikorsky came under contract to the U.S. Navy in 2013 to assemble and deliver the four SDTA aircraft by 2017 in support of the Marine Corps operational evaluation of the CH-53K platform. Spirit is on contract to deliver to Sikorsky the final SDTA fuselage unit later this year.

The U.S. Marine Corps will employ the four SDTA aircraft to verify the helicopter's design capability to carry 27,000 pounds over 110 nautical miles under "high hot" ambient conditions, tripling the external load carrying capacity of the current CH-53E SUPER STALLION™ helicopter.

The U.S. Navy has included the four SDTA helicopters within the existing $3.5 billion System Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract initially awarded to Sikorsky in April 2006.

From 2011 to 2012 as part of the SDD contract, Spirit successfully delivered to Sikorsky seven fuselage sections from its Wichita, Kan., facility. Sikorsky has applied those fuselage sections to two non-flying test articles, one ground test vehicle, and four flight test aircraft.

"The CH-53K fuselage is one of the most complex composite structures ever built by Spirit," said Chris Falo, Spirit's CH-53K program director. "Spirit's design and build expertise in large complex composite structures helps us deliver this product to our customer on time and with the highest quality possible."

The Marine Corps intends to order 200 CH-53K production aircraft (including the four SDTA aircraft), and to stand up eight active duty, one reserve and one training squadron to support the Marine Corps' operational requirements.

On the web: www.spiritaero.com
On Twitter: @SpiritAero

About Spirit AeroSystems Inc.

Spirit AeroSystems, with headquarters in Wichita, Kan., USA, is one of the world's largest non-OEM designers and manufacturers of aerostructures for commercial aircraft. In addition to its Wichita and Chanute facilities in Kansas, Spirit has locations in Tulsa and McAlester, Okla.; Kinston, N.C.; Prestwick, Scotland; Preston, England; Subang, Malaysia; and Saint-Nazaire, France. In the U.S., Spirit's core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components. Additionally, Spirit provides aftermarket customer support services, including spare parts, maintenance/repair/overhaul, and fleet support services in North America, Europe and Asia. Spirit Europe produces wing components for a host of customers, including Airbus.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business operations. Actual results or circumstances may vary materially from those indicated or implied in this press release as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, the timing, execution, and profitability of new programs; changes in government procurement priorities and practices, budget plans, availability of funding and in the type and number of aircraft required; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed in Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

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SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems