The first S-70i™ BLACK HAWK helicopter, built at Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.'s company in Poland, PZL Mielec, has entered the flight test program at Sikorsky's Development Flight Center (DFC) in Florida. The S-70i helicopter is an international variant of the BLACK HAWK helicopter. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

The aircraft arrived at the DFC on May 4. This new international variant utilizes a global supply chain and is the first BLACK HAWK helicopter assembled in Europe. It launches a new helicopter in the Sikorsky product line. Production flight tests are planned at PZL Mielec later this year.

"In July, we will mark the debut flight of the S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter at our Development Flight Center in Florida. Production of the second S-70i aircraft is underway at PZL Mielec," said Debra A. Zampano, S-70i Program Manager, International Military Programs. "The program is progressing well and hitting all key milestones."

Plans call for at least 20 S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopters to be produced per year, beginning in 2012, and for PZL Mielec to be the hub of the program for international customers.