EMBASSY EVENTS 2009

Ambassador Hosts Reception for Second Anniversary of Sikorsky’s Ownership of Polish Aviation Factory in Mielec As It Rolls Out First Black Hawk Helicopter Cabin

13 March 2009

The UH-60 Black Hawk

On March 12, the Polish Aviation Factory (Polskie Zakłady Lotnicze, PZL) in Mielec, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation's affiliate in Poland, celebrated the rollout of the first BLACK HAWK helicopter cabin produced at the facility. The event took place on the second anniversary of the acquisition of PZL Mielec.  The roll out and Sikorsky’s second anniversary of ownership of the Mielec plant were celebrated at a March 17 reception at the Residence of US Ambassador to Poland Victor Ashe.  “The partnership has made good on its promise to fulfill existing U.S. Armed Forces orders and these cabins are expected to be sold to commercial and defense customers from around the world for years to come,” Ambassador Ashe stated. “During the last two years, the partnership has contributed to employment growth in Mielec, plant modernization, and technology and skill transfer to the Mielec area workforce.” Polish Under-Secretary Kosiniak-Kamysz and Sikorsky leadership also spoke at the reception, which was attended by Polish military and government officials, members or industry, U.S. investors in Poland, and other distinguished guests.

"This cabin symbolizes the progress we have made, as well as the significant milestone leading us to the production of the S-70i(TM) BLACK HAWK helicopter,” said Janusz Zakrecki, President of PZL Mielec, during the March 12 roll-out.  The cabin recognized today will be used in the first S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter. The next cabin to roll off the line will be sent to the United States later this month to be assembled into a U.S. Army UH-60M BLACK HAWK helicopter.

Guests at the ceremony representing the local and regional authorities viewed the first BLACK HAWK helicopter cabin produced at PZL and toured the newly renovated, semi-assembly plant.  Janusz Chodorowski, Mayor of Mielec City, Andrzej Chrabaszcz, Governor of the Mielec County, and Krystyna Skowronska, a Member of Parliament representing the Mielec region attended the ceremony along with Employees, managers of PZL Mielec, representatives of Sikorsky Aircraft.

"The modernization and improvements introduced into the company's operations in work safety and comfort demonstrate our long-term commitment and contribution to the labor market in Poland and the Aviation Valley," said Carey Bond, Sikorsky Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer. "The improvements have transformed PZL Mielec into a world-class facility capable of producing Sikorsky's BLACK HAWK helicopter cabins and subsequently producing S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopters, designed for the international marketplace."  Delivery of the first S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter from Mielec is expected to occur by the end of 2011.

"Sikorsky Aircraft considers PZL Mielec as a key pillar to the success of future BLACK HAWK helicopter assembly," said Bob Kokorda, Vice President, Corporate Strategy and Synergy. "Beyond PZL Mielec, further production opportunities for the S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter in other Polish plants will ensure access to a high quality supply chain as well as opportunities for localized maintenance and overhaul, completion, and training centers which will enable Sikorsky to achieve competitive pricing and greater access to the global marketplace. Needless to say, Sikorsky's efforts will return PZL Mielec to a prominent position in international aviation."

Bond added: "We look forward to the further rollout of BLACK HAWK helicopter cabins to be produced here that will meet the demands of our international customer, as well as our U.S. Army customer. On the international side, it is a tremendous step forward in our effort to make PZL Mielec a global provider of S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopters. The growing efficiency of this process will enable deliveries to start in 2011 and production is expected to ramp up to as many as 36 S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopters per year."

PZL Mielec is Poland's largest fixed wing aircraft manufacturer. PZL Mielec's best-known aircraft are the M28(TM) Twin-Turboprop Utility, M28B BRYZA(TM) Maritime Patrol & Reconnaissance and M18 DROMADER(TM) Ag & Fire-Fighting plane. The company also supplies aerostructures for Pratt & Whitney Canada, Spirit Aerosystems (formerly BAE), SAAB Aviation, GKN Aerospace, on a subcontracting basis.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Connecticut, USA, a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service, is dedicated to the mission statement that, "We pioneer flight solutions that bring people home, everywhere ... every time(TM)." 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.