Sikorsky accepts T70 prototype
Sikorsky has accepted the first T70 prototype helicopter from PZL Mielec as the Turkish Utility Helicopter Program (TUHP) gets underway
The Turkish government plans to build a fleet of multi-role T70 utility helicopters based on the Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk aircraft. The prototype aircraft produced by PZL Mielec is the 37th S-70i built in Poland. Among the modifications added by the company are a rescue hoist, internal auxiliary fuel tank, cargo hook, integrated vehicle health management system, a blade de-icing system, and a rotor brake.
The prototype aircraft will serve as the engineering development test bed for a new avionics suite being co-developed by Sikorsky and Turkish company Aselsan. The two companies will use the aircraft to integrate, flight test and qualify the T70’s avionics suite.
TAI is licenced to build and deliver a total of 300 T70 helicopters (109 baseline and 191 options) to six Turkish agencies: the land forces, air force, gendarme, special forces, national police, and the directorate general of forestry. The first Turkish-built T70 aircraft will be certified and qualified for delivery to the Turkish government in 2021.
PZL will manufacture the first five cabin structures that TAI will assemble onto the first five T70 aircraft over the coming two years. PZL personnel also will provide technical and manufacturing assistance and training to TAI both in Turkey and Poland.
Jason Lambert, TUHP director, Sikorsky, said: ‘On-time delivery and the exceptional quality of this S-70i helicopter is a great start to the TUHP. The success of this important milestone was achieved through the dedication of the PZL Mielec workforce and Sikorsky engineering team, which also incorporated Black Hawk mission equipment options into the prototype helicopter for international delivery from Poland.’
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