Sikorsky Aerospace Services to upgrade Royal Saudi Land Forces Black Hawk helicopters with modern avionics

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, 16 Nov. 2011. Officials at Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS)--the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX)--have signed a follow-on contract with the Royal Saudi Land Forces Aviation Command (RSLFAC) to upgrade its fleet of Black Hawk UH-60A helicopters to the modern UH-60L aircraft configuration.

The A-to-L upgrade program includes: a T700 to T701D engine upgrade for increased power and reliability and upgraded flight controls, avionics, and instrument panel modifications. Each upgraded H-60 helicopter gains a new Aircraft Flight Control Computer (AFCC), new wiring harnesses, a high-speed shaft, and a sealed lead-acid battery. The upgrades infuse RSLFAC's fleet of 12 UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters with improved performance, increased mission readiness, extended service life, and reduced maintenance and support costs.

"Our A-to-L conversion program for the UH-60A Black Hawk helicopters provides the Saudi Land Forces with a cost-effective option to extend the service life of their fleets while permitting better integration with newer Black Hawk helicopter models," says David Adler, president of Sikorsky Aerospace Services.