Sikorsky lands Air Force contract for copter upgrades

A week after awarding Sikorsky $478 million to complete a fleet of “Marine One” helicopters for use by the White House, the Department of Defense signaled the Stratford manufacturer could see nearly $1 billion more to upgrade a fleet of helicopters.

The upgrade systems are for helicopters Sikorsky is building for the U.S. Air Force to rescue pilots downed in hostile territory and other clandestine missions.

Sikorsy has its main factory in Stratford as a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, with the company reporting more than 5,600 Connecticut employees at last report.

The Air Force wants upgrades to the combat rescue helicopters it originally ordered in 2014 that are slated to go into full production in 2022. The upgrads will include mission software and avionics incorporating emerging technologies.

Jane’s reported the development on Friday, based on a redacted document published the day before by Air Force officials.

The Pentagon confirmed last week its intent to purchase the remaining five VH-92A helicopters needed to replace the existing White House fleet.

Sikorsky is also ramping up a massive program to build as many as 200 helicopters for the U.S. Marine Corps to ferry troops, tanks, and other heavy equipment into enemy territory, at higher altitudes than its existing heavy-lift helicopters can fly.

The Marines began testing the CH-53K King Stallion last month in North Carolina.