Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced today that AAR Airlift’s S-92® program achieved record flying hours and reliability in 2013. Operating at a maintenance readiness rate exceeding 90 percent, AAR’s two S-92 aircraft achieved 3,800 combined block flight hours in the harsh Afghanistan environment, a 1,000-hour increase from 2012. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

Sikorsky’s growing relationship with AAR Airlift and support of an off-site stocking warehouse in Bagram, Afghanistan, has contributed to the success of both AAR’s performing its mission and the S-92 program.

“The multi-mission S-92 aircraft continues to prove its value in many applications including paramilitary,” said Carey Bond, president, Sikorsky Commercial Systems & Services. “AAR’s experience validates the cargo and troop transport capabilities in the harshest of environments, and we’re grateful for our relationship with AAR and the trust they continue to show in the aircraft.”

AAR’s daily missions in support of U.S. forces include ferrying passengers and cargo, and sometimes both at the same time, as well as carrying sling loads at high altitudes in both hot and frigid environments. AAR’s exceptional performance and fleet capability contributed to its award of another option year for this fleet from the U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM).

“Assets like the S-92 are critical in supporting the warfighter’s ability to execute their missions safely,” said Randy Martinez, president and CEO, AAR Airlift. “We’re proud to support our service men and women in one of the world’s harshest environments using state of the art western equipment.”

AAR provides expeditionary airlift services in support of contingency operations worldwide. The company operates a fleet of fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft transporting personnel, supplies and mail for the U.S. Department of Defense in Afghanistan and the Western Pacific.

Sikorsky press release