STRATFORD, Conn., 8 February 2005. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Navy's presidential helicopter contract decision.
"On February 3, the U.S. Navy debriefed Sikorsky on the factors that determined the outcome of the Marine One competition. Throughout that meeting, the Navy was complementary of the outstanding proposal effort by the men and women of Sikorsky."
"In the debriefing, the Navy confirmed that the Sikorsky offer was fully compliant and, in fact, had yielded the best performing aircraft. The company learned, however, that the competing bidder started with an aircraft -- particularly the cabin -- that more closely met the unique requirements established by the Navy, and that this was the major factor in the decision."
Navy leaders awarded the $6.1 billion contract for 23 high-tech, high-security aircraft to Team US101, which includes Lockheed Martin and British-Italian AgustaWestland aircraft, which is owned by Finmeccanica. The team will set up a manufacturing plant in Owego, N.Y., and an assembly plant in Amarillo, Texas.
Sikorsky has built the presidential helicopter since 1957. During the contract bidding, the company argued that its VH-92 Super Hawk offered better security through using solely American-made parts.
"The Government Accountability Office (GAO), the investigatory arm of the U.S. Congress, has been asked to look into the issues related to performing heightened security work in an offshore foreign environment. Sikorsky does not want to take any action that might delay or conflict with the GAO's investigation. Accordingly, the company has elected not to protest the Navy's Marine One contract decision."
"Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of advanced helicopters for commercial, industrial and military uses. Its helicopters occupy a prominent position in the intermediate to heavy weight range."
Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. of Hartford, Conn., which provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries. For more information, see www.sikorsky.com.