LaBarge awarded $8.4 million in BLACK HAWK contracts from Kaman

LaBarge, Inc. (NYSE Amex: LB), a provider of electronics manufacturing services (EMS), has been awarded contracts valued at approximately $8.4 million from Kaman Aerospace Corporation to provide cockpit wiring harnesses for several models of the BLACK HAWK helicopter. Kaman is a subcontractor to Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), on the BLACK HAWK helicopter program.

The LaBarge-built wiring harnesses will be installed in cockpits of the UH-60M and UH-60L BLACK HAWK helicopters, and the HH-60M Medevac model. The BLACK HAWK helicopter is a U.S. Army multi-mission combat assault helicopter that transports troops, weapons systems and supplies. The Army uses the Medevac helicopter to provide medical evacuation of injured soldiers and assistance to civilian populations in times of crisis.

In addition to the cockpit wiring harnesses it builds for Kaman, LaBarge provides electronic assemblies directly to Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. for the BLACK HAWK helicopter program. LaBarge is a Sikorsky/United Technologies Corp. gold supplier and has supported the BLACK HAWK program since 2005.

Production on the new contracts has begun at LaBarge's Joplin, Mo., facility and is expected to continue through October 2011.