AERO Vodochody a.s. has already completed and expedited 150 helicopters for Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (SAC). The anniversary 150th Sikorsky S-76 helicopter (s/n 760674) was expedited today.

"The volume of the S-76 Program production increases every year by dozens of per cent, and although AERO is currently going through a tough period of changes, we committed ourselves to deliver more than by 30 % more units this year compared to the year 2006. The increasing interest proves that SAC is satisfied with the quality of our deliveries, which we are really pleased about," said Peter Ondro, President of AERO.

AERO produces practically the whole Sikorsky S-76 helicopter excluding dynamic parts and final interior installations. After completing all works in AERO, the helicopters travel by truck to Bremerhaven, Germany, from where they are transported by ship to Stratford. SAC finalizes the helicopter at its headquarters in Stratford, USA.

The S-76 Program is the largest production program in AERO and creates around 75 % of the total revenue of the Company. The Aerostructures Program also deals with deliveries for the supersonic F-18 aircraft (gun bay door), Airbus (subassemblies and parts for A320 and A340) and Boeing (fixed leading edge kits for B767). Even before the capital entrance of private equity Penta Group to AERO, Aerostructures employed more than a half of the AERO employees and this increasing trend continues.

More about the Sikorsky Program in AERO

The first S-76 helicopter s/n 760515 was completed in AERO on December 21, 2000, from assemblies delivered by SAC. AERO then gradually overtook the whole production and today, more than 30 % out of a total of 8,500 parts necessary for the helicopter assembly are produced indoor. The rest of the parts are purchased from approx. 200 mainly American and Canadian subcontractors.

The Sikorsky S-76 helicopter was certified in 1976 and is used mainly by companies transporting their employees to oil platforms, and also in V.I.P. and Emergency versions. Currently, the C++ version is being produced.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a part of United Technologies Corporation, is the world leader in development and production of civil as well as military helicopters. Besides the S-76, e.g. BLACK HAWK or S-92 helicopters are renowned. The revenue of SAC reaches USD three billion a year.