Sikorsky and Changhe Sign Agreement For S-76D™ Cabin Production in China

TIANJIN, China, Sept. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- China Helicopter Exposition -- Sikorsky Aircraft  and Changhe Aircraft Industries Corp. today signed an agreement for Changhe to produce S-76D^™ commercial helicopter cabins for Sikorsky, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). The agreement was signed during the China Helicopter Exposition, with Chairman Yu Feng, Changhe Aircraft Industry Group Co., Ltd., and Senior Vice President, Operations, Shane Eddy representing Sikorsky Aircraft.

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The S-76D helicopter is Sikorsky's newest aircraft. Changhe had previously provided cabins for the predecessor S-76C++™ helicopter, under an agreement signed by the two companies in 2007. Changhe will now serve as a second source for S-76D cabins, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2016 and production volume based on market demand. Aerodochody in the Czech Republic also supplies the cabins.

"I am proud to sign this agreement with Changhe Aircraft, which extends our very successful partnership in this strategically important region," said Shane Eddy of Sikorsky Aircraft. "Over the next 10 years, we see the potential for the civil helicopter fleet in China to quadruple, and we are proud to work with such a trusted and respected company as Changhe to serve this expanding market."

"Changhe and Sikorsky will further expand the collaboration from S-92 and S-76C++ to S-76D products," said Yu Feng, Chairman, AVIC Changhe Aircraft Industry Group, Co., Ltd. 

Changhe Aircraft Industries Corp. is a subsidiary of China's AVIC, which is a shareholder in the Shanghai Sikorsky civil aerospace joint venture company. Sikorsky has enjoyed a long and productive business relationship with AVIC  dating back more than a decade to the development and production of the S-92^® commercial helicopter.

The S-76D helicopter received FAA certification in 2012 and is the latest in the family of popular Sikorsky's S-76^® helicopters. More than 800 S-76 helicopters in the global fleet have accumulated 6.2 million flight hours during three decades of operation.  Designed for safety, reliability and efficiency, the S-76D helicopter features all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades; a fully integrated THALES glass cockpit; health and usage monitoring system; active vibration control; and powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S engines, which deliver the best in class power-to-weight ratio and fuel burn with excellent payload and range benefits.

Sikorsky Aircraft, based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries. 

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in aircraft demand; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corporation's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. 

SOURCE Sikorsky Aircraft