Turkish Aerospace Industries delivers first S-70i Black Hawk helicopter tailcone
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) today celebrated the delivery of the first tailcone produced by TAI for the S-70i Black Hawk helicopter to be built in Poland.
The tailcone (serial # 001) was shipped recently from TAI’s facility in Ankara, Turkey, to Sikorsky’s affiliate, PZL Mielec, in Poland, where it was joined to the cabin of an S-70i Black Hawk helicopter earlier this month.
Production of the S-70i helicopter at PZL Mielec was planned since the acquisition of the company in 2007.
Delivery of the first S-70i Black Hawk helicopter is expected to occur by the end of 2010, representing a potential increase in Black Hawk production for TAI.
As many as 36 S-70i Black Hawk helicopters are expected to be produced per year from that facility.
“TAI’s recent delivery of the first tailcone to Sikorsky’s Polish affiliate PZL Mielec brings us one step closer to the delivery of the first S-70i Black Hawk helicopter, and its introduction to the international community,” said Stephen B. Estill, Sikorsky Vice President, Strategic Partnerships.
“The Black Hawk helicopter is the workhorse of U.S. Army aviation, used in a multi-mission role in challenging combat environments such as Iraq and Afghanistan, and with this first tailcone delivery, we will write a new history for this aircraft.”
Sikorsky and Turkish Aerospace Industries have had a long relationship in the manufacture of Black Hawk helicopter components. Since 2000, TAI has produced more than 1,600 empennage components for Sikorsky’s global fleet of Black Hawk helicopter derivatives.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
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.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
