Feature story Team UH-145 is expanded with the addition of Sikorsky Aircraft, WestWind Technologies and CAE USA

October 3, 2005 - The UH-145 industry team has been further strengthened with the addition of three key companies in the military helicopter sector, including Sikorsky Aircraft, which will be responsible for contractor logistics support (CLS).

Announcement of Sikorsky's entry in the UH-145 industrial line-up - along with the addition of WestWind Technologies and CAE USA - was made today during a Washington, D.C. press conference at the Association of the U.S. Army's (AUSA) annual meeting.

These three companies join Team UH-145 founding members EADS North America (the program prime contractor), American Eurocopter (responsible for UH-145 production), and EADS North America Defense (which handles overall program management for the UH-145 system).

"The addition of Sikorsky, WestWind Technologies and CAE to Team UH-145 effectively marries the leaders in commercial and military helicopters with the best in training and systems integration," EADS North America Chairman and CEO Ralph D. Crosby, Jr. told reporters at the press conference. "It's a powerful combination of leaders that bring expertise, innovation, value and proven experience for the Army's Light Utility Helicopter mission."

Sikorsky Aircraft is one of the top companies in production of medium-to-heavy military helicopters. Its participation on Team UH-145 provides a complementary business activity for Sikorsky - which does not produce an aircraft in the category that meets requirements set forth in the Army's LUH request for proposals.

"We are bringing our contractor logistics support expertise that includes 1,500 BLACK HAWK helicopters in the field," said Frank DiPasquale, Sikorsky's Director of Business Development for Worldwide Customer Support.

WestWind Technologies brings extensive experience in mission equipment integration and airframe modification, specializing in providing quick-reaction, cost-effective responses to even the most demanding programs. The company operates the U.S. Army's Logistics Support Facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama - providing WestWind Technologies with first-hand knowledge of the Army customer.

Current Army programs handled by WestWind Technologies include integration of the Common Missile Warning System on CH-47 Chinooks, UH-60 BLACK HAWKS and AH-64 Apaches; as well as desert modifications for UH-60s, CH-47s, AH-64s and OH-58Ds.

CAE USA, which is based in Tampa, Florida, will supply the UH-145 cockpit procedures trainer, which is to become an integral element of pilot training and familiarization for Army crews that operate the helicopter. Helicopter systems designed by the company include combat mission simulators for the A/MH-6, MH-60 and MH-47 operated by the U.S. Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

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