Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
Sikorsky Aircraft has completed the preliminary design review (PDR) for the VH-92A Presidential Helicopter Replacement programme, it was announced on 4 November.
According to the company the PDR was completed on 21 August. The team demonstrated the preliminary design for the VH-92A aircraft, including integration of the mission communications system and supporting logistics elements. The programme will now move into detailed design toward critical design review.
Sikorsky also accepted the second S-92A aircraft for the VH-92A programme on 3 September and has now started modifications.
The engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) contract for the programme was awarded to the company in May 2014. The initial fielding of the aircraft is scheduled for 2020 and production will be completed in 2023. The company is using in-production S-92 aircraft and integrating government-defined mission systems and an executive interior.
Col. Robert Pridgen, program manager for the Presidential Helicopters Program Office, Naval Air Systems Command, US Navy, said: ‘This is but one of many steps toward the replacement for our Presidential Fleet of helicopters. I am pleased how effectively we’ve gotten out of the gate and established a solid foundation on which we’ll mature the detailed design work of this important programme. This team is focused and disciplined. We must maintain both to ensure we meet or exceed the expectations of a programme such as the VH-92A in the months ahead.’
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
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