Dedicates New Tech Center

On Monday, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation dedicated a new technical integration center in Huntsville, AL. The new 30,000-square-foot facility will house Sikorsky employees dedicated to support US Army Black Hawk helicopters and other military aviation programs.

The Sikorsky Huntsville operation is expected to grow from 65 employees today to more than 160 employees over the next year, company representatives tell ANN. Employment opportunities will include the areas of engineering, worldwide customer service (logistics), and program management. New positions are to be filled predominantly by new hires from the local area.

"The Huntsville Technical Integration Center provides a strong opportunity for Sikorsky Aircraft to align with the mission of 'Team Redstone' in nearby Redstone Arsenal, providing basic and advanced weapons system research and development and ultimately placing the right aviation systems with our troops," said Sikorsky President Jeffrey Pino.

"As the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Plan is funded and put into effect, Redstone Arsenal will become even more of a military R&D focal point as agencies such as the Army Materiel Command, the Space and Missile Defense Command, the Aviation Technical Test Center, and the US Army Security Assistance Command all become concentrated there. Sikorsky looks forward to this collaboration between the Huntsville Technical Integration Center and the Redstone Arsenal."

Mark Miller, Sikorsky vice president for research and engineering, said the work to be done in Huntsville will follow the joint mission by Sikorsky and Redstone Arsenal to provide the best, most technically advanced rotorcraft to Army aviators.

"In the long term, the benefits and applications from this collective effort can be extensive from both the technology development and customer support standpoints," Miller said. "What we achieve and learn here can help improve all our military aircraft and even shape future platforms."

"This is great news for Huntsville," said Senator Richard Shelby, R-Alabama. "United Technologies' further expansion into Alabama will create significant job growth for the region and will continue Sikorsky's ardent support of the Army's Black Hawk helicopter program. I am proud that Sikorsky once again recognizes Alabama's ability to provide a dedicated and educated workforce and I look forward to continuing this already strong partnership."

FMI: www.sikorsky.com