Sikorsky Aircraft Maps Its Plans for Europe

PARIS, June 20 /PRNewswire/ -- PARIS AIR SHOW -- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. officials provided a glimpse of a new strategic vision for the company today, unveiling an overview of its plans to incorporate European regions into its business approach. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

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"Sikorsky is a dynamic company that is transforming its business in a number of ways to adapt to an ever-changing, global business environment," said Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino. "As we move forward to expand our business globally, we are looking to the opportunity the European market affords Sikorsky to bring its proven products to new customers and regions."

In recent months, Sikorsky Aircraft finalized the acquisition of aircraft maker PZL Mielec in Poland, and relocated a Business Development Manager to Warsaw as it begins to deepen its efforts to develop relationships and opportunities throughout Eastern Europe and Eurasia. The Mielec acquisition will support production of the INTERNATIONAL BLACK HAWK(TM) helicopter, while continuing the current capability for aircraft design, manufacture, flight test and delivery. Modernization of the 1.2-million-square-foot facility began in April.

In addition, Sikorsky Aircraft is positioning the S-92(R) helicopter for Europe search and rescue missions, beginning with the recent entry into service of the first SAR-configured S-92, owned and operated by CHC, Inc., for service with MCA in the U.K. The SAR S-92 will be expanded to meet additional requirements in the U.K., Ireland, Norway and Iceland, said Bruce McKinney, Sikorsky Regional Sales Manager, Europe.

In addition, Sikorsky is working with French and German industry on the Heavy Transport Helicopter for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), using CH-53K technology to minimize costs and enable design, manufacture and life-cycle support in Europe.

"Now that Sikorsky has established an office in Warsaw, we have a European base of operation that is poised to embrace this market of great potential," McKinney said. "Sikorsky is in Europe to stay, and we look forward to the new opportunities to bring Sikorsky products to the global market as well as to strengthen our supplier base."

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacturing, and service. The company's long commitment to safety and innovation is reflected in its mission statement: "We pioneer flight solutions that bring people home everywhere ... every time(TM)." 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 government procurement priorities and practices or in the number of aircraft to be built; 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.