Work On Prototype Aircraft Will Continue, Spokesperson Says

The takeover of Sikorsky Aircraft by Lockheed Martin, which is acquiring the helicopter division from United Technologies, will not affect the company's participation in the Army's Future Vertical Lift Program, according to a spokesperson.

Reuters reports that U.S. Army acquisitions chief Heidi Shyu said on Tuesday at the United States Army Conference in Washington that "you've got the Boeing-Sikorsky team competing against Bell. As far as I know there's two separate teams."

Lockheed is also providing parts for the Bell V-280 Valor under the demonstrator program. Prime contractor Bell has agreements with 11 other companies to provide parts for the new tilt-rotor aircraft.

Bell said through a representative that its agreement with Lockheed had been amended to clarify that the Sikorsky effort would be continued after the $8 billion deal is finalized.

Sikorsky representative Douglas Shidler would not comment on how the deal would affect the demonstrator program because their team had not been involved in the merger discussions, but he did say that Sikorsky is "committed" to continuing work on the FVL technical demonstrator program.

FMI: www.army.mil