WICHITA, Kan., June 19, 2015 /CNW/ -- Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
[NYSE: SPR] today announced it has successfully delivered to
Sikorsky the third fuselage section for the CH-53K 'King Stallion'
heavy lift helicopter program's System Demonstration and Test
Article (SDTA) contract. Consisting of an integrated cockpit
and cabin structure with a separately attached tail section, the
composite-skinned fuselage will enable prime contractor Sikorsky to
begin assembling the third of four SDTA aircraft to further
solidify the final production configuration of the CH-53K aircraft
for the U.S. Marine Corps.
"Spirit AeroSystems is pleased to be a major supplier to a new
generation, heavy-lift helicopter capability for the Marine Corps,"
said Phil Anderson, Spirit senior
vice president of Defense Programs. "The strong, lightweight
composite structures we are providing to Sikorsky will in turn give
the Marine Corps a much needed increase in payload capability."
Sikorsky came under contract to the U.S. Navy in 2013 to
assemble and deliver the four SDTA aircraft by 2017 in support of
the Marine Corps operational evaluation of the CH-53K platform.
Spirit is on contract to deliver to Sikorsky the final SDTA
fuselage unit later this year.
The U.S. Marine Corps will employ the four SDTA aircraft to
verify the helicopter's design capability to carry 27,000 pounds
over 110 nautical miles under "high hot" ambient conditions,
tripling the external load carrying capacity of the current CH-53E
SUPER STALLION™ helicopter.
The U.S. Navy has included the four SDTA helicopters within the
existing $3.5 billion System
Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract initially awarded to
Sikorsky in April 2006.
From 2011 to 2012 as part of the SDD contract, Spirit
successfully delivered to Sikorsky seven fuselage sections from its
Wichita, Kan., facility. Sikorsky
has applied those fuselage sections to two non-flying test
articles, one ground test vehicle, and four flight test
aircraft.
"The CH-53K fuselage is one of the most complex composite
structures ever built by Spirit," said Chris Falo, Spirit's CH-53K program director.
"Spirit's design and build expertise in large complex composite
structures helps us deliver this product to our customer on time
and with the highest quality possible."
The Marine Corps intends to order 200 CH-53K production aircraft
(including the four SDTA aircraft), and to stand up eight active
duty, one reserve and one training squadron to support the Marine
Corps' operational requirements.
On the web: www.spiritaero.com
On Twitter: @SpiritAero
About Spirit AeroSystems Inc.
Spirit AeroSystems, with headquarters in Wichita, Kan., USA, is one of the world's
largest non-OEM designers and manufacturers of aerostructures for
commercial aircraft. In addition to its Wichita and Chanute facilities in Kansas, Spirit has locations in Tulsa and McAlester,
Okla.; Kinston, N.C.;
Prestwick, Scotland; Preston, England; Subang, Malaysia; and Saint-Nazaire, France. In the U.S., Spirit's core products
include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components.
Additionally, Spirit provides aftermarket customer support
services, including spare parts, maintenance/repair/overhaul, and
fleet support services in North
America, Europe and
Asia. Spirit Europe produces wing components for a host of
customers, including Airbus.
This press release contains forward-looking statements
concerning future business operations. Actual results or
circumstances may vary materially from those indicated or implied
in this press release as a result of certain risks and
uncertainties, the timing, execution, and profitability
of new programs; changes in government procurement priorities and
practices, budget plans, availability of funding and in the type
and number of aircraft required; as well as other risks and
uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed in
Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. Securities and Exchange
Commission filings.
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SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems