CPI Aerostructures Inc. reports it has a new, long-term agreement with Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. to manufacture gunner window assemblies for the U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter for a period of five years. Edgewood, N.Y.-based CPI Aero is a contract manufacturer of structural aircraft parts for prime defense contractors, the U.S. Air Force, and other branches of the armed forces. It is also a subcontractor of parts to commercial aircraft OEMs.
The actual value of the supply contract was not released. Sikorsky stated this new award brings its 2012 new business total to $63.8 million, compared to $61.7 million at the same point in 2011.
Sikorsky Aircraft, Stratford, Conn., is a designer and manufacturer of helicopters, and a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. Sikorsky has been supplying the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter to the U.S. Army since 1979.
The Black Hawk is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter, now also available in four model variants. Among its configurations are versions for use as a troop transport, medical evacuation, electronic warfare, attack, assault support and special operations. More than 3,000 Black Hawk helicopters are in use, operating in 29 countries. Defense forces in the Republic of Korea, Colombia, and Turkey also operate the Black Hawk.
The windows that CPI Aero is supplying are two-piece constructions installed just behind the pilot seat on each side of the aircraft. They slide open for use by a machine gun operator.
Deliveries for the new order will begin in 2013 and end in 2018.
CPI Aero also acts as a subcontractor to commercial aircraft manufacturers. As well as assembly operations, it provides engineering, technical and program management services.
In addition to the Black Hawk program, CPI Aero’s supply agreements involve work for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye surveillance aircraft, the A-10 Thunderbolt attack jet, the Gulfstream G650, the S-92 helicopter, the MH-60S mine countermeasure helicopter, AH-1Z ZULU attack helicopter, the HondaJet-Advanced Light Jet, the MH-53 and CH-53 variant helicopters, the C-5A Galaxy cargo jet, and the E-3 Sentry AWACS jet.
