Additional upgraded S-61 helicopters for US DOS
Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) has announced that it has been awarded a contract to deliver three additional upgraded S-61 utility helicopters to the US Department of State (DOS).
The contract, announced in a 9 November company press release, brings the total number of upgraded S-61 utility helicopters purchased by DOS to 29 aircraft to date.
According to SAS, the three aircraft will be used to transport diplomatic personnel in Iraq and Afghanistan. As the launch customer for the S-61 upgrade, DOS entered into a five-year IQ (indefinite quantity) agreement with SAS in 2010, with the option to purchase up to 110 upgraded S-61 aircraft.
SAS initiated the S-61 Upgrade Program in early 2010. According to the company, the upgraded S-61 helicopters will undergo a full structural refurbishment with all major dynamic components zero-timed and key upgrades provided, including new composite main rotor blades (CMRB) and a survivability suite. The customer can select additional options such as a state-of-the-art glass cockpit and crashworthy primary and auxiliary fuel systems.
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