LAAD 2013: New S-70i helicopters for Colombian Army

Sikorsky has announced at the LAAD Defence & Security International Exhibition that it will supply two additional S-70i Black Hawk helicopters to the Colombian Army. The new contract also includes ground support equipment, spares and technical training.

The Special Forces of the Colombian Army’s Air Assault Division took delivery of five S-70i helicopters in January, and the two new aircraft will join the fleet by October 2013.

Like the five previous multi-mission aircraft, the two new aircraft will feature dual GPS/INS system and digital map for accurate navigation and enhanced situational awareness. The aircraft will be custom-equipped with a rescue hoist and an Integrated Vehicle Health Management System that will monitor the aircrafts’ engines, transmission and rotors.

Jennifer Caruso, vice president of Army and Air Force Programs, Sikorsky, said: ‘We thank the Colombian Armed Forces for their continued confidence in Sikorsky and the S-70i variant of the Black Hawk helicopter. We are pleased once again to be able to respond quickly to the request for new aircraft.’

The Colombian National Police, Colombian Air Force, and Colombian Army already operate 96 UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters.

Sikorsky also announced at LAAD the opening of a new UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter Flight Simulator Training Centre at the Colombian Air Force Base in Melgar. The first of its kind in South America, the centre will provide pilot and flight crew training for the Colombian Armed Services and Sikorsky military customers throughout the region. 

Additionally, the company will open a Forward Stocking Location in Brazil for the warehousing of spare parts in support of Brazil’s S-76 and S-92 commercial helicopter operators. The warehouse will be managed by the Sikorsky’s Brazilian representative, Powerpack.

Also at the show, Sikorsky announced that it will team with the Brazilian Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA) to establish a Rotorcraft Innovation Team in Brazil. The two companies signed a letter of interest that will see them collaborate on developing rotorcraft technologists in Brazil.