Sikorsky, Changhe Sign Agreement During China Helicopter Exposition

An agreement reached between Sikorsky Aircraft and Changhe Aircraft Industries Corp. for the production of S-76D commercial helicopter cabins for Sikorsky was signed Thursday during the China Helicopter Exposition, with Chairman Yu Feng, Changhe Aircraft Industry Group Co., Ltd., and Senior Vice President, Operations, Shane Eddy representing Sikorsky Aircraft.

The S-76D helicopter is Sikorsky's newest aircraft. Changhe had previously provided cabins for the predecessor S-76C++ helicopter, under an agreement signed by the two companies in 2007. Changhe will now serve as a second source for S-76D cabins, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2016 and production volume based on market demand. Aerodochody in the Czech Republic also supplies the cabins.

"I am proud to sign this agreement with Changhe Aircraft, which extends our very successful partnership in this strategically important region," said Shane Eddy of Sikorsky Aircraft. "Over the next 10 years, we see the potential for the civil helicopter fleet in China to quadruple, and we are proud to work with such a trusted and respected company as Changhe to serve this expanding market."

"Changhe and Sikorsky will further expand the collaboration from S-92 and S-76C++ to S-76D products," said Yu Feng, Chairman, AVIC Changhe Aircraft Industry Group, Co., Ltd.

Changhe Aircraft Industries Corp. is a subsidiary of China's AVIC, which is a shareholder in the Shanghai Sikorsky civil aerospace joint venture company. Sikorsky has enjoyed a long and productive business relationship with AVIC dating back more than a decade to the development and production of the S-92 commercial helicopter.

(S-76D image from file)

FMI: www.sikorsky.com