DUBAI, United Arab Emirates – Sikorsky BLACK HAWK helicopters flown by the U.S. Army in the Iraq and Afghanistan theaters of war have accumulated more than 1 million fleet flight hours without a single Class A material failure with the aircraft, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. reported today from the Dubai Air Show. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

The U.S. Army currently operates more than 350 BLACK HAWK helicopters combined in these two Overseas Contingency Operations. BLACK HAWK helicopters have flown these missions since February 2003 and are maintaining an 84 percent mission capable readiness rate while operating in the extreme heat, wind, and sand conditions.

While the U.S. Army’s fleet of BLACK HAWK helicopters continues to log fleet hours in theater, BLACK HAWK aircraft operating in the Middle East region are also performing well for Sikorsky customers. There are approximately 150 BLACK HAWK helicopters operating elsewhere in the Middle East.

“The BLACK HAWK helicopter has proven itself in the most extreme and rigorous environments, and each milestone is a testament to its durability and effectiveness,” said Scott Starrett, President, Sikorsky Military Systems. “It is a proven, reliable combat aircraft.”

The U.S. Army’s total BLACK HAWK helicopter fleet exceeds 1,740 aircraft and has amassed nearly 6 million flight hours.

More than 3,000 BLACK HAWK helicopters are in use today, operating in 27 different countries. Designed to stringent U.S. Military standards, the BLACK HAWK helicopter has become the leader in multi-mission-type aircraft. Among the mission configurations it serves are troop transport, medical evacuation, electronic warfare, attack, assault support and special operations.

Source: Sikorsky