Daily Local News (West Chester, PA)
More aviation work bound for Chesco
Company receives second contract to build presidential helicopters
STRATFORD, CONN. » It looks like some additional work will be coming to the 217,000-squarefoot Sikorsky plant in Sadsbury, Chester County.
The helicopter manufacturer, which is based in Stratford, Conn., has been awarded a contract to complete production of an additional six VH-92A Presidential Helicopters.
The nearly $471 million contract was announced by the Department of Defense.
Lockheed Martin — the parent company for Sikorsky — said in a Feb. 20 press release that it has entered into the contract with the U.S. Navy to build the helicopters as part of the 23 aircraft program of record for the U.S. Marine Corps. Once completed and tested, the helicopters can be used to transport the president and vice president.
The announcement is “welcome news for Sikorsky, its employees, the company’s many local business suppliers and the western Chester County community,” according to a statement from Chester County Commissioners Marian Moskowitz, Josh Maxwell and Michelle Kichline.
The statement added that the commissioners will do “what they can” to ensure Sikorsky continues to thrive in Chester County.
Under the terms of the contract, Sikorsky will begin deliveries of six VH-92A helicopters in 2022. The remaining production aircraft will be delivered in 2022 and 2023.
“The program continues to progress on budget and within our planned acquisition timeline,” Col. Eric Ropella, PMA274 presidential helicopter program manager, said in the release, adding that the award “reinforces the importance of this Marine Corps no-fail mission especially as we move into the next phase of government
testing this year.” Major programs at the Chester County Sikorsky plant include S-76D and S-92 production and completions, as well as the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Program, according to a Lockheed Martin spokeswoman. The S-92 is then completed in Stratford, Conn., as the VH-92A.
“Our Coatesville Sikorsky facility continues to demonstrate its importance and manufacturing prowess,” U.S. Rep. Chrissy Houlahan, D-6th Dist., said in a statement. “This contract is further proof that the Coatesville workforce is delivering on time and on budget for our Department of Defense.”
The Department of Defense contract announcement states that 36% of the work will be done at Chester County facility, while 50% of the work will be done in Stratford, Conn. The remainder of the work on the units will be carried out at facilities in Owego, N.Y.; Patuxent River, Md.; and Quantico, Va.
“Now that we are ramping up production, the VH92A program is gaining momentum,” Dave Banquer, Sikorsky VH-92A program director, said in the release. “This second contract award demonstrates the confidence the U.S. Marine Corps has in Sikorsky’s proven ability to deliver and support the next generation Presidential helicopter.”
According to the company, five VH-92A helicopters have already gone into government testing, including more than 1,000 flight test hours. The VH-92A program is on track to enter Initial Operational Test and Evaluation (IOT&E) later this year, the company said.
“The men and women of Sikorsky treasure our legacy of building and providing helicopter transportation for every president and commander-in-chief since Dwight D. Eisenhower,” Banquer added. “We are proud to continue that legacy with the VH-92A helicopter.”
In June 2019, Sikorsky’s parent company Lockheed Martin announced that it planned to close the Chester County facility and move its
work to other locations — citing a “prolonged downturn” in the global helicopter market, as well as the company’s need to “balance its footprint and workforce” with customer and market requirements. That news set in motion a coordinated and bipartisan response in Chester County, Harrisburg and Washington.
The Chester County Commissioners quickly put together a task force comprised of local business and economic development leaders, working with representatives from the State Department of Community and Economic Development, the Governor’s Action Team, Houlahan, and the offices of U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey (R-PA) and Bob Casey (D-PA).
In addition, President Donald Trump spoke with Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson on June 14, asking her to reconsider the decision to close the facility. The decision to keep the plant open was made by Hewson on July 11.
“Our Coatesville facility has approximately 400 employees, and we continue to work with DoD, Congress, local officials and commercial
customers to pursue additional work for the site,” an emailed response to questions stated Wednesday.
Chester County officials and task force members subsequently met with Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky officials, and in October, Sen. Toomey visited the plant.
“Our focus remains on working with Lockheed Martin and the Sikorsky leaders in Coatesville to keep — and even grow — the organization’s presence in Chester County,” the commissioners’ statement read.
Houlahan said continues to work with the administration, Chester County and Sikorsky to ensure the facility has production demand to keep it operating into the future.
“I continue to hope that the Sikorsky leadership will sustain their commitment to our Coatesville plant beyond the lifespan of this current Marine One project,” she added.