-
Sikorsky Launches All-New Light Tactical Helicopter for U.S.
Military Evaluation
Having achieved its goal of flying the X2 Technology
demonstrator helicopter
at more than 250 knots (287 mph) twice the average top speed of
a traditional
helicopter Sikorsky Aircraft will design, build and fly two more
X2 Technology
aircraft, and offer one of the aircraft to the U.S. Military for
flight test and evaluation.
Both prototypes will become the first of an all-new light
tactical helicopter category
the Sikorsky S-97 and will carry the designation
S-97 RAideR helicopter.
Sikorsky President Jeff Pino made the announcement
Oct. 20 to reporters at Sikorskys development Flight
Center, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Having proved the X2 Technology design to ourselves,
we have full confidence we can now mature the tech-
nology as we compete for the U.S. Armys light armed
reconnaissance helicopter, said Pino.
Self-funding the design and manufacture of two
S-97 RAideR helicopter prototypes will help military
aviation evaluate the viability of a fast and maneuverable next
generation rotorcraft
for a variety of combat missions, said Pino.
in March 2010, Sikorsky submitted an X2 aircraft design to the
Armys Armed
Aerial Scout (AAS) program in response
to a request for information. The AAS
program is currently conducting an anal-
ysis of alternatives for the Armys next
armed reconnaissance helicopter.
Sikorsky and select suppliers are
expected to invest an initial $200 million
in the S-97 RAideR program.
To view the video news release
announcing the S-97 RAideR helicopter
program, visit http://www.sikorsky.com/
About+Sikorsky/News/Raider.
S-97 RAIDER
Q4 2010
Continued on page 2
R E C O NMaintenance efficiency by Mexico Federal PoliceCH-53K:
First airframe assemblySoldiers & Scouts share valuesS-61
helicopters for Department of StateBattle damage
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A Message to Our Customers
Sikorsky is focused on:
Safety Reliability Innovation
-
S-97 RAIDER Continued from cover
Like the X2 Technology demonstrator aircraft that unoffically
broke
the helicopter speed record on Sept. 15, 2010, the S-97 RAideR
helicopter
prototypes will feature twin coaxial counter-rotating main
rotors (in
place of one main rotor and a tail rotor) and a pusher
propeller.
For the armed reconnaissance mission, the S-97 RAid-
eR helicopter will have space aft of the cockpit for arma-
ment and auxiliary fuel. in an assault configuration, the
cabin will afford space to accommodate up to six troops.
in addition to flying at nearly twice the speed of a
conventional helicopter, the S-97 RAideR prototype
aircraft will incorporate other key performance parameters
critical to combat operations increased maneuverability,
greater endurance, and the ability to operate at high
altitudes.
Compared to other light military helicopters, the RAideR
prototypes are
expected to significantly reduce turning radius and acoustic
noise signature,
while significantly increasing the aircrafts payload, flight
endurance and
hot and high hover capability.
These attributes will enable the S-97 RAideR aircraft to
meet
or exceed the potential U.S. Army requirements for its next
armed reconnaissance helicopter, said doug Shidler,
Sikorskys Light Tactical Helicopter director.
if selected by the Army, the S-97 RAideR aircraft
design will enable high performance flight operations
in high altitude regions that currently pose challenges
to todays light military helicopters, said Shidler.
The company expects to conduct its first major program
milestone a preliminary design review in 2011. First
flight, projected in four years, could depend in part on the
pace of
development and customer need.
2 SikorskyFrontlines Q42010
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Q42010 SikorskyFrontlines 3
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S-97 RaideR Helicopter Design
Quick Facts about the S-97 RaideR Helicopter
Innovations
-
2 SikorskyFrontlines Q42010
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Q42010 SikorskyFrontlines 3
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Mexico Federal Police Achieve Operational Success
Just two years after acquiring the first of seven Sikorsky
UH-60L BLACK HAWK helicopters, the
Mexico Federal Police (PF) have achieved significant maintenance
efficiencies and a corresponding
reduction in aircraft downtime.
Created in 1998 by the merger of other federal police agencies,
the PF employs 34,000 officers and
staff who take a leading role in the fight against organized
crime, corruption, and drug interdiction
across Mexico.
Knowing operational efficiency and readiness of the BLACK HAWK
helicopter fleet to be es-
sential components for agency mission success, the PF contracted
with Sikorsky Aerospace Services
to station a field service representative (FSR) in Mexico.
500/1000HourInspectionsFor almost a year leading up to the
500-hour phase inspection of the agencys first aircraft, the
FSR
helped the PF maintainers establish maintenance best practices
while providing on-the-job training.
The big test came during the summer of 2010.
Using their newly acquired knowledge and organizational
proficiencies, the PF mechanics per-
formed the very first 500-hour phase inspection in just 60 days.
This impressive timeline enabled the
aircraft to return to service an estimated four months earlier
than projected had the team performed
the inspection without guidance.
Besides achieving the 500-hour phase inspection in record time,
the PF simultaneously performed
the 1,000-hour, 36-month inspection in advance of the
requirement. The action will prevent having
to ground the aircraft a second time in early 2011.
dismantling a helicopter and putting it back together again
during a phase inspection often can take
an inexperienced maintenance team six to eight months or longer,
a time when the aircraft is out of
service, said Joe Coleman, director, Sikorsky Aerospace Services
Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul.
We commend the Mexico Federal Police for its foresight and
wisdom to invest in customized
aftermarket care for their aircraft. Careful planning and
excellent execution by the mechanics under
the guidance of the field service rep, and pre-ordering of spare
parts, enabled the 500 -hour inspection
in less than two months.
PricelessandirreplaceableThe result did not surprise Captain
eduardo Laris McGregor, PF Chief Commissioner. As Coor-
dinator of Air Operations, he has seen firsthand how an FSR can
add utility and value.
The unique support we received daily from the field service
representative and Sikorsky Aerospace
Services is priceless and irreplaceable, said Captain McGregor.
Unquestionably, we accomplished
our goals in readiness and logistics quicker and more
efficiently than we would have been able to
on our own.
Maintaining a single helicopter or an entire
helicopter fleet can present significant challenges to
a maintenance team charged with ensuring aircraft
readiness.
Thats because new customers may lack the tech-
nical skills and knowledge of best practices to ensure
a smooth-running maintenance operation.
To address this need, Sikorsky Aerospace Services
has built a worldwide network of more than 150
experienced field service representatives (FSRs).
The role of the field service representative is to
make the customer proficient in maintaining the
aircraft, said John Steiner, field service operations
manager at Sikorsky Aerospace Services.
We provide on-the-job training in the areas of
maintenance and operational techniques relevant to
aircraft repair, said Steiner. And we teach proven
best practices that improve aircraft readiness.
An FSR also is frequently called on to:
Guide and instruct in the use of associated special
tools and test equipment
Assist in identifying areas where additional training
may be required
Teach safety precautions
demonstrate best methods for installing modifica-
tions and retrofit kits
Provide technical guidance to resolve difficult or
unusual maintenance issues
exchange customer information back to Sikorsky
engineers in the United States
An FSR can be contracted to provide on-the-
job training to the maintenance team for a specific
period of time.
For more information about the benefits of field
services, contact Sikorsky Aerospace Services at(203)
944-0649.
Aircraft Field Service - Available Worldwide
500-hour phase inspection performed in 60 days
The Blue Hawk helicopters of the Mexico Federal Police owe their
name to their distinctive navy blue paint scheme.
The Mexico Federal Police have developed a first-rate
maintenance crew for its growing fleet of BLACK HAWK
helicopters.
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Special Operations Leader Shares Values with Scouts
That was the keynote message Col. Clay Hutmacher, former
commander of the 160th
Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), brought to more
than 500 Boy and
Girl Scouts and their leaders during the 10th annual Camp
Sikorsky, Sept. 24-26, 2010.
Col. Clay Hutmacher stressed the significance that the Army
Values concept (Loyalty,
duty, Respect, Service, Honor, integrity, and Personal Courage)
plays in his professional
and personal life and the parallel between those ideals and the
Scouting values.
He spoke at length about his experiences as a soldier, pilot and
leader, including 2,500
flight hours in Sikorsky UH-60 BLACK HAWK aircraft. He also
encouraged the Scouts
to focus on their education, excel in their endeavors, and
continue to stay involved in
their scouting activities.
Col. Hutmacher is currently a student at the U.S. Army War
College in Carlisle
Barracks, Pa. At the conclusion of his speech the scouts gave
Col. Hutmacher a standing
ovation.
Camp Sikorsky is an annual community outreach event conducted by
Sikorsky
volunteers.
The 78 Boy and Girl Scout Troops who attended this years Camp
Sikorsky at the Strat-
ford, Conn., campus travelled from New Jersey, Connecticut, New
York, and Massachusetts.
The youth were treated to a tour of the aircraft manufacturing
facility, discussions re-
garding ethics and emergency preparedness, and merit badge
classes conducted by experts
in the fields of engineering, aviation, electricity, power,
computers, crime prevention, fire
safety, and other disciplines.
Col. Clayton Hutmacher greets Capt. Mike Cerneck, Commander,
Sikorsky DCMA.
derco Aerospace, inc., a Sikorsky Aerospace Services company,
has signed
an agreement with Alliant Techsystems to distribute the
AN/AAR-47 Missile
and Laser Warning System, and Roll-on/Roll-off intelligence,
Surveillance, and
Reconnaissance (RORO iSR) systems for C-130 aircraft.
With distribution in 15 countries, this new agreement further
solidifies dercos
position as a total aftermarket support provider for aircraft
operators worldwide.
The AAR-47and RORO iSR systems are designed to be compatible
with
C-130 aircraft operating in hostile environments. These systems
will help ensure
the safe execution of strategic and humanitarian missions.
We are excited to become ATKs distributor for the AAR-47 and
RORO iSR
systems, said Paul Fuhrmann, dercos director of OeM and Repair
Solutions.
This agreement further expands our portfolio of
mission-specific, high-technology
modifications and upgrades supporting fixed-wing aircraft.
Scouts and soldiers share common values.
Mike Mudd, center, representing Sikorsky Aircraft, accepts a
certificate from
Special Operations Warrior Foundation President Col. (Ret) John
Carney and
Maj. Gen. (Ret) John McCombs thanking Sikorsky Aircraft for its
support.
Since its founding in 1982, the Special Operations Warrior
Foundation has
provided for the higher education of hundreds of surviving
children of deceased
special operations personnel.
Special Operations Warrior Foundation Submitted by Mike Mudd,
Sikorsky Aircraft Business Development
Submitted by Mike Mudd, Sikorsky Aircraft Business
Development
4 SikorskyFrontlines Q42010
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Q42010 SikorskyFrontlines 5
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derco Signs agreement with aTK to Distribute Missile Warning and
Surveillance Systems
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4 SikorskyFrontlines Q42010
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Q42010 SikorskyFrontlines 5
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The Naval Helicopter Association (NHA) held its annual Fleet
Fly-in at Naval Air Station
Whiting Field, Fla., October 19-22, 2010.
The event exposes future Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard
rotary wing aviators to the
aircraft they will eventually fly upon earning their wings.
Fleet helicopter units fly representative aircraft to Whiting
Field to provide the students with
briefings on their respective communities and missions.
Helicopter models included UH-1
(USMC), AH-1 (USMC), H-65 (USCG), MH-60R, MH-60S, CH-53, and
CH-46.
Short orientation flights enable students to make a more
informed choice when the time
comes to request which platform they would prefer to fly in the
future.
The event also includes various industry displays where the
students have an opportunity
to interact with representatives from the major rotary wing
airframe/avionics manufacturers.
The week concludes with a senior officer panel for students and
staff to ask questions of the
helicopter community leadership.
Submitted by Greg Hoffman, Government Business DevelopmentNHA
Holds its annual Fly-in
(Left to Right): CAPT Doug Tenhoopen (Deputy Commodore
HSMWINGLANT), Commodore Carl Bush (Commander HSMWINGLANT), Greg
Hoffman, CAPT Clay Conley
Sikorsky Aircraft and Lockheed Martin have launched a joint
website
www.mh-60.com to inform international navies interested in
acquiring the U.S. Navys MH-60R SeAHAWK helicopter.
The multi-mission aircraft is sold via the U.S. Governments
Foreign Military Sales
program.
Website content focuses initially on the MH-60R helicopter, the
U.S. Navys newest
and most advanced anti-submarine (ASW) and anti-surface warfare
(ASuW) aircraft.
The team will post content about the MH-60S helicopter in
2011.
Sikorsky designs and manufactures the MH-60R (Romeo) and MH-60S
(Sierra)
aircraft. MH-60R systems integrator Lockheed Martin also
provides the digital cockpit
for both airframes.
Together, the two companies lead a global marketing endeavor.
Other team members
include General electric (engines), Raytheon (FLiR and acoustic
sensor) and CAe (pilot
training simulators).
Team Romeo Launcheswww.MH-60.com
AUSA 2010
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen
receives a briefing on the S-97 Raider Light Tactical Helicopter at
the Sikorsky booth during the AUSA 2010 Annual Meeting &
Exposition, Oct. 25-27, Washington D.C.
Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Chairman of
Dubai Culture and Arts Authority, views the UAE SOC BLACK HAWK
helicopter on display at the Heli-Show Dubai 2010, 2-4 November. He
is accompanied by Joe Gigantelli, Sikorsky vice president for
Europe, Middle East, Turkey and Africa.
Heli-Show Dubai 2010 TRADESHOW NEWS
-
Submitted by CH-53K Program Management Team
GKN Aerospace has completed the first major airframe assembly
for the CH-53K Helicopter program the
aft transition section that connects the cabin to the tail
pylon.
CH-53K program managers celebrated the sections completion
during an August 31, 2010 ceremony at the St.
Louis, Mo-based aerospace manufacturer, noting the assembly was
delivered on schedule and conforms to high
quality specifications.
GKN completed the aft transition section as part of a $3 billion
System development and demonstration
contract awarded to Sikorsky in April 2006 to develop a
next-generation heavy lift helicopter for the U.S. Marine
Corps.
The aft transition section and three other assemblies will be
matched with parts from other suppliers for delivery
to Sikorskys development Flight Center in West Palm Beach, Fla.,
where final assembly operations are to begin
in early 2011.
Sikorsky and its major partners will deliver seven prototype
aircraft to the CH-53K Helicopter program, along
with spares and test components. The Marine Corps is expected to
eventually procure 200 aircraft.
(Pictured left to right):
Mike Ambrose, Sikorsky Vice President of Airframe Design; Paul
Guitierrez, Vice President GKN, St. Louis; Mike
Torok, Sikorsky Vice President and Chief Engineer, USMC
Programs; Steve Kiosse, CH-53K Subcontractor Manager, Sikorsky;
General Spyder Nyland, General USMC retired, GKN SSA Board of
Directors; Maj J. Davis, HQMC Heavy
Helicopter Requirements Coordinator; Capt. Rick Muldoon, PMA
261, Program Manager, Heavy Lift; Steve Williams, GKN Program
Director; Greg Knapp, NAVAIR PMA-261,
Production IPT Co-lead; John Johnson, Sikorsky CH-53K Program
Manager; Mike Wallner, NAVAIR CH-53K Program
Manager Co-lead; and Joe Santiso, Sikorsky CH-53K Airframe
Program Manager
Maj. J. Davis, HQMC Heavy Helicopter Requirements Coordinator,
during a light-hearted moment at the celebration to accept the
first major airframe assembly from Sikorsky subcontractor GKN
Aerospace
GKN Aerospace Delivers First MajorCH-53K Helicopter Airframe
Assembly
CH-53K Helicopter ground test vehicle delivery celebration at
GKN Aerospace marked the on-time completion of the
helicopters aft transition section.
Sikorsky Aircraft Begins Test Operations at Systems integration
Lab for CH-53K Helicopter
6 SikorskyFrontlines Q42010
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Sikorsky Aircraft opened a Systems integration Lab (SiL) in
October 2010, to
test key systems on the CH-53K helicopter, the U.S. Marine Corps
new heavy lift
aircraft program. Five laboratories comprising the
10,000-square-foot SiL will test
avionics, electrical power, electronic flight controls,
hydraulic flight controls, and
engine control subsystems.
The SiL is housed within the companys main manufacturing
facility at Stratford,
Conn. The SiL provides a simulated flight environment where we
can test these key
subsystems individually, and then integrated together, before
progressing to a fully
integrated aircraft-representative test configuration, said John
Johnson, program
manager for the CH-53K helicopter program.
Testing of key subsystems will reduce the number of required
flight test hours,
resulting in significant time and cost savings to the customer.
The integrated experi-
ence, which closely resembles the actual aircraft, will allow a
pilot to fly simulated
missions that evaluate qualitative performance, such as pilot
workload and warning
annunciations.
Mike Torok, Sikorsky vice president and chief engineer for USMC
programs, said:
This new lab is the product of lessons learned from other major
Sikorsky integrated
lab programs. it enables new levels of integration testing
across multiple aircraft
systems to ensure functionality is proven before we ever get to
the aircraft and that
will yield a successful flight test program in the future.
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Sikorsky Aerospace Services recently announced the signing of a
Basic Ordering
Agreement (BOA) with the Royal Jordanian Air Force (RJAF).
At an estimated value of $8 million, this one-year agreement
will support the
RJAF fleet of 13 S-70A BLACK HAWK helicopters.
This contract allows the Royal Jordanian Air Force the
flexibility to streamline
procurement of parts and services for optimum fleet maintenance.
SAS remains
fully committed to deliver best-in-class aftermarket support to
our worldwide
customers, said david Adler, president of Sikorsky Aerospace
Services.
Submitted by Mike Mudd, Sikorsky Aircraft Business
Development
6 SikorskyFrontlines Q42010
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Q42010 SikorskyFrontlines 7
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Sikorsky aerospace Services Announces Signing of Basic Ordering
Agreement withRoyal Jordanian air Force
Sikorsky Aerospace Services has awarded a $10,000 scholarship to
del Mar
College in Corpus Christi, Tex.
The scholarship provides financial assistance to local students
attending the
community college, which supplies local talent in production and
logistics
management and aviation maintenance to the Corpus Christi Army
depot.
The funds have a huge impact for those who are struggling during
the eco-
nomic crisis, said Betsy OLavin, del Mar Colleges business
department
co-chair. Our students take immense pride in the opportunity to
serve their
community and country.
The scholarship marks the 5th year Sikorsky Aerospace Services
has supported
the community college.
SaS awards Scholarshipfor aviation Maintenance
1108th aVCRad Family day for Soldiers & Their Families
The 1108th Aviation Classification Repair Activity depot
(AVCRAd) of Gulfport, Miss., held their annual Family day
Picnic
at the Kessler AFB on September 12.
Greg Waters, Sikorsky Aerospace Services field service
representa-
tive supporting the BLACK HAWK platform for the Mississippi
National Guard, presented a donation of $500 on behalf of
Sikorsky
Aerospace Services.
SAS contribution, along with various other corporate
sponsorships,
helped cover the cost of food and beverages for more than 300
soldiers,
their families and contractors who attended the successful
event.
F Company ActivatesLt. Col. Tom Mcleary, Battalion Commander for
5-159th Aviation poses with his
soldiers and Sikorsky Aircrafts Mike Mudd at the activation
ceremony for F Company,
5-159th, Aviation Support Facility, Clearwater, Fla.
F Company operates six HH-60 L BLACK HAWK helicopters for
battlefield MedeVAC
missions. The company expects to deploy to Afghanistan in
mid-2011.
Sikorsky Aerospace Services recently announced an order for two
upgraded
S-61 utility helicopters for use by the U.S. State department.
The order brings
the total number purchased in 2010 to 17 aircraft.
The aircraft are part of a five-year indefinite delivery,
indefinite quantity
(idiQ) contract with the U.S. State department for up to 110
upgraded S-61
aircraft in support of passenger and cargo transport operations
worldwide.
The idiQ contracting vehicle enables any U.S. Government agency
to
purchase upgraded S-61 aircraft at an affordable price, with the
additional
assurance of economical operation and intrinsic resale
value.
The S-61 has been a successful multi-mission helicopter with
U.S. and
foreign allied militaries for more than 50 years.
The upgraded helicopter includes a full array of system upgrades
for enhanced
mission performance, including composite main rotor blades for
improved
functionality in hot/high conditions, and systems to reduce
pilot fatigue and
improve maintenance requirements.
U.S. department of State Orders Two More Upgraded S-61
Helicopters
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A Colombian Army UH-60L BLACK HAWK helicopter that sustained
significant
battle damage to its right horizontal stabilator, rear pylon and
tail rotor blades, was
able to take off and fly to safety with its crew.
The enemy fire incident occurred during the spring of 2010 when
the Army supply
helicopter landed in a jungle area where there was a known
presence of armed guerillas.
Colombian soldiers were unloading provisions when an explosion
caused the
aircraft to shake violently. To avoid further enemy fire, the
pilot took off immediately.
Once airborne, a Colombian Air Force BLACK HAWK helicopter
escorting
the Army aircraft informed the Army pilot his aircraft had lost
a section of its right
horizontal stabilator.
during the 15-minute flight with the damaged stabilator, the
aircraft experienced
small pitching movements. The Army pilot continued flying away
from the hostile
area to look for a safe landing location.
Once landed, the crew confirmed the loss of 40 percent of the
right side stabilator
surface, and major damage to the tail pylon. Flying debris from
the explosion also
caused structural damage to both the tail and main rotor blades
while they were
turning, and to the cover of the tail rotor servo. A maintenance
crew was deployed
to the landing zone to perform temporary repairs.
The aircraft then flew for 2.5 hours back to the Tolemaida Air
base where it was
fully repaired and returned to operational status in two
weeks.
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BATTLE DAMAgE Colombian BlACK HAWK Helicopter Flies with Damaged
Stabilator
This document contains forward-looking statements concerning
future business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially
from those projected as a result of certain risks and
uncertainties, includ-ing but not limited to changes in government
procurement priorities and practices or in the number of aircraft
to be built; challenges in the design, development, production and
support of advanced tech-nologies; as well as other risks and
uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from
time to time in United Technologies Corporations Securities and
Exchange Commission filings.
Racing against a Bell 407 helicopter, Octo-
ber 20, 2010, at Sikorskys development
Flight Center, West Palm Beach, Fla., the
X2 Technology demonstrator accelerates
to high speed while maintaining a level
body attitude.
The X2 Technology design uses twin co-axial
counter-rotating main rotors to maintain forward flight, and
a pusher propeller for acceleration/deceleration.
Level Flight
A Colombian Army BLACK HAWK helicopter experienced small
pitching movements during a 15-minute flight with a battle damaged
right horizontal stabilator. The aircraft took off and landed
safely in its damaged condition.
Submitted by Freddy Hernandez, Sikorsky Regional Sales Manager,
Latin America
8 SikorskyFrontlines Q42010
FiNal bRiEF
i s s u E 2 2
Sikorsky Frontlines is a special newsletter exclusively for U.S.
and international government and military customers, to keep you
informed of events, products and technologies, program updates and
support services information.
We created Sikorsky Frontlines for you, and we welcome your
input, ideas, and stories to make this publication as enjoyable and
useful as possible.
To receive Frontlines via email, or to send a story or photo
forinclusion, contact: editor Frans Jurgens,
[email protected]
Contributors: Blaine Boxwell, Jean Galli, Greg Gould, Brenda
Hendrick, Freddy Hernandez, Greg Hoffman, Alicia Hutchins, Steve
Kaeter, Jesse Lesperance, Mike Mudd, Tom Nicolett, Adam
Schierholz.
Sikorsky Frontlines is Copyrighted 2010, Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation,
all rights reserved.
3342 12/10
www.sikorsky.com
The caption to the Parting Shot image in our Q3 2010 issue
mistakenly identi-fied the aircraft and service. The image actually
shows a MH-53E helicopter with the Mighty BlACk HAwkSof Navy
Squadron HM-15.
CORRECTION