WEST PALM BEACH, Florida – The first S-70i^TM BLACK HAWK helicopter, built at Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.’s company in Poland, PZL Mielec, has entered the flight test program at Sikorsky’s Development Flight Center (DFC) in Florida. The S-70i helicopter is an international variant of the BLACK HAWK helicopter.

The aircraft arrived at the DFC on May 4. This new international variant utilizes a global supply chain and is the first BLACK HAWK helicopter assembled in Europe. It launches a new helicopter in the Sikorsky product line. Production flight tests are planned at PZL Mielec later this year.

“In July, we will mark the debut flight of the S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter at our Development Flight Center in Florida. Production of the second S-70i aircraft is underway at PZL Mielec,” said Debra A. Zampano, S-70i Program Manager, International Military Programs. “The program is progressing well and hitting all key milestones.”

Plans call for at least 20 S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopters to be produced per year, beginning in 2012, and for PZL Mielec to be the hub of the program for international customers.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., USA, provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

Source and photo: Sikorsky