HOUSTON, Texas – Norrlandsflyg AB and Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in a ceremony at Heli-Expo today announced that the Swedish helicopter operator has agreed to delivery position agreements for eight S-76D™ helicopters, the next generation model of the Sikorsky S-76® helicopter. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). Norrlandsflyg is a leading helicopter operator for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Search and Rescue (SAR) missions in Sweden. The company currently operates a fleet of nine S-76 helicopters in Sweden for air ambulance (Medevac/HEMS - Helicopter Emergency Medical Service) and SAR duty and has leading expertise in around-the-clock SAR duty. This spring, another two factory-fresh S-76C++ helicopters will be added to the fleet.

“As the S-76D helicopter progresses toward initial certification in late 2009, Sikorsky Aircraft continues to tally a growing list of customers who have already embraced the future in this proven aircraft by requesting position agreements such as these by Norrlandsflyg,” said President Jeffrey P. Pino. “We are pleased to have this opportunity to deepen our relationship with this customer and to broaden the global expanse of Sikorsky products. We are equally excited at the prospects for success that the S-76D helicopter is poised to achieve.”

Norrlandsflyg is under contract with the Swedish Maritime Administration’s SAR division and performs all the Swedish maritime SAR missions, said Chief Executive Officer Fredrik Skanselid. “Specially configured maritime Sikorsky SAR S-76 helicopters are strategically placed at five bases, with crews on 15-minute, 24/7 response time,” he said. “The S-76 helicopter has a solid record of performance in this capacity, and we are looking forward to seeing what the next generation of this aircraft will bring. The S-76D performance will give us the ability to offer an enhanced and unparalleled service to our clients, be it in the SAR or HEMS role.”

The S-76D helicopter offers more than a 1,000-lbs increase in useful load and extended range performance over the S-76C++™ aircraft currently fielded. In addition, the S-76D helicopter model will feature:

• All-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades
• Rotor Ice Protection System (RIPS), as an available option
• Advanced Thales avionics system and autopilot
• Dual speed rotor with active vibration control
• Pratt & Whitney 210S engine
• Quiet tail rotor
•  Additional fuel
• New electrical generation system
• Quiet gearbox
• Health and Usage Monitoring System (HUMS)

Find out more about Sikorsky Aircraft products on the newly relaunched company Web site, www.sikorsky.com

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Connecticut, USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. The company’s mission statement reflects its long commitment to safety and innovation: “We pioneer flight solutions that bring people home everywhere … every time™.“ United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, USA, provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

Source: Sikorsky
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