Press release EADS North America expands UH-145 industrial team

Sikorsky, WestWind and CAE bring world class support and logistics, program management, and training expertise to Light Utility Helicopter competition

Washington, D.C., October 3, 2005 – EADS North America has expanded the industrial team for its UH-145 advanced helicopter with the addition of Sikorsky Aircraft, which will provide its expertise in contractor logistics support (CLS) for the U.S. Army’s Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) mission.

Also joining the UH-145 team are WestWind Technologies, specializing in fast-reaction helicopter systems integration, engineering support, and program management support, and CAE, specializing in simulation and training. Together, the new team members augment the proven capabilities of EADS North America and its American Eurocopter business unit.

Overall program management for the UH-145 system will be directed by EADS North America Defense, a business unit of Arlington, Virginia -based EADS North America.

The new team members were announced today during a press conference held at the annual meeting of the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) in Washington, D.C.

“Bringing Sikorsky onto the UH-145 team ensures that our offering in the LUH competition is backed by the undisputed leader in contractor logistics support for military rotary-wing aircraft,” said Ralph D. Crosby, Jr., the Chairman and CEO of EADS North America. “The addition of WestWind’s integration capabilities and CAE’s training expertise further strengthen our value proposition for the Army’s LUH mission. From platform to logistics support to training, our team will provide the U.S. Army with the best solution to meet its light utility helicopter needs.”

Sikorsky occupies a prominent position in the medium-to-heavy military helicopter marketplace, and its products are used by all branches of the U.S. armed forces as well as many foreign militaries. The company’s role on the UH-145 team provides a complementary business activity for Sikorsky, which does not produce an aircraft in the Light Utility Helicopter category that meets with the requirements set forth in the Army’s LUH request for proposals.

“Sikorsky is pleased to join the UH-145 team,” said Sikorsky President Steve Finger. “As the leading provider of helicopters to the U.S. military, we look forward to combining our experience with EADS North America on a program that is increasingly important for our nation’s defense and homeland security needs.”

WestWind Technologies operates the U.S. Army’s Logistics Support Facility at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, and specializes in quick-reaction, cost-effective mission equipment integration and airframe modification. Programs handled by the company include integration of the Common Missile Warning System on Army CH-47 Chinooks, UH-60 BLACK HAWKs, and AH-64 Apaches; the design, mechanical and electrical integration, and installation of Martin-Baker crashworthy seats on U.S. Air Force HH-60G PAVE HAWK special operations helicopters; and desert modifications for the U.S. Army’s UH-60 BLACK HAWK, CH-47 Chinook, AH-64 Apache and OH-58D Kiowa Warrior helicopters.

Tampa, Florida-based CAE USA will supply the UH-145 cockpit procedures trainers, which will become an integral element of pilot training and familiarization for Army crews operating the helicopter. CAE is a global leader in the design of sophisticated military and commercial training systems, having supplied the defense forces of more than 30 nations with simulation, training, and mission rehearsal solutions. The company has designed the widest range of helicopter simulators in the world, including A/MH-6, MH-60, and MH-47 combat mission simulators for the U.S. Army’s 160 th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.

The U.S. Army is planning to acquire more than 300 LUH platforms to replace aging UH-1 and OH-58 aircraft through a commercial off-the-shelf (COTS)-based acquisition strategy. The LUH will perform a wide range of light utility missions in the United States, including passenger and logistics transportation, medical evacuation and homeland security operations. The Army National Guard is expected to receive the majority of these replacement aircraft.

EADS North America’s UH-145 solution will be a U.S.-built helicopter that offers the best value solution to meet or exceed all speed, range, endurance and performance requirements for the LUH mission. The UH-145 is a version of the highly successful EC145 helicopter, which has been in production since 2002 for law enforcement, paramilitary and security agencies, emergency medical service providers, offshore operators and corporations in America and around the world.

 

About EADS North America (www.eadsnorthamerica.com )

EADS North America is the North American operations of EADS, the second largest aerospace and defense company in the world. As a leader in all sectors of defense and homeland security, EADS North America and its parent company, EADS, contribute over $6 billion to the U.S. economy annually and support more than 100,000 American jobs through its network of suppliers and services. With 10 operating companies located in 28 cities and 15 states, EADS North America offers a broad array of advanced solutions to its customers in the commercial, homeland security, aerospace and defense markets.

Media Contact:
Guy Hicks, VP Communications
EADS North America
Tel: 703-236-3300
E-mail: guy.hicks@eads-na.com

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