WICHITA, Kan., Dec. 16, 2010 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Spirit
AeroSystems, Inc. (NYSE: SPR), the world's largest independent
supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components, today
celebrated the rollout of the Sikorsky CH-53K helicopter fuselage
being delivered to support assembly of the first developmental test
vehicle. The fuselage assembly, which includes composite cockpit
and cabin sections designed and built by Spirit, was joined to a
supplier-provided aft transition empennage section earlier in the
month. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies
Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101216/CG19019)
"Rolling out this joined fuselage signifies a vital milestone on
this program," said Kelley Gross,
Spirit program director. "This event demonstrates Spirit's already
established expertise as a composite assembly manufacturer as well
as our far-reaching capabilities in the defense market."
"This rollout of the first CH-53K helicopter fuselage is a
distinct milestone signaling the CH-53K helicopter is close to
becoming a reality for the U.S. Marine Corps and our country. The
successful assembly of this fuselage is the result of a successful
partnership between Spirit, Sikorsky and our NAVAIR customer,"
Joseph Santiso, Program Manager,
CH-53K Airframe Integrated Product Team.
The cabin section is comprised of five composite skins, a
composite floor and roof beams, aluminum framework, and a titanium
transmission structure. Its dimensions are approximately 30 ft. in
length, 10 ft. wide and 8.5 ft. high.
The cockpit section is mostly made of a composite structure
including the canopy framework, skins, bulkheads and floors. The
cockpit assembly dimensions are approximately 8 ft. in length, 8.5
ft. high and 10 ft. wide.
"The cabin-cockpit roll-out marks a significant milestone in
fulfillment of the U.S. Marine Corps' Heavy Lift requirement. The
continuing development of the CH-53K is reliant on a broad base of
suppliers. Spirit AeroSystems is a major partner within the
supplier base," said Captain Rick Muldoon,
CH-53K Program Manager.
In 2007, Sikorsky awarded a contract to Spirit AeroSystems to
design, fabricate, procure and build seven units of the
sections for the CH-53K helicopter in connection with
Sikorsky's Systems Development and Demonstration (SDD) contract
with the Navy. The seven test units are comprised of one ground
test vehicle, one static test article, four engineering development
model flight test vehicles, and one fatigue test article.
In 2008, Sikorsky also awarded a contract to Spirit for joining
the joining of the aft transition section to Spirit's combined
cabin and cockpit section. This contract was also in connection
with the SDD contract. With the join of this section, Spirit will
deliver a complete CH-53K helicopter fuselage to Sikorsky's Florida
Assembly & Flight Operations facility in West Palm Beach, FL, where CH-53K experimental
aircraft assembly and test activities will take place.
Spirit's CH-53K SDD program schedule is expected to run through
2012 and includes design, development and test activities, in
addition to fabrication and assembly. The low-rate initial
production (LRIP) phase of the program is expected to begin with
the delivery of the first LRIP aircraft in FY 2017.
The CH-53K helicopter is a dual-piloted, multi-engine helicopter
that will provide the U.S. Marine Corps with improved heavy lift
capability, reduced operating costs, and state-of-the-art
interoperability. The CH-53K helicopter is designed to be a safe,
survivable, and reliable weapon system once placed into service.
The helicopter will be capable of operating day or night, in
battlefield conditions and adverse worldwide climates, while
fulfilling U.S. Marine Corps missions for movement of cargo and
equipment, transportation of troops, and amphibious assault and
operations ashore.
On the web: http://www.spiritaero.com
About Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
Based in Wichita, Kan.,
Spirit AeroSystems is the world's largest independent supplier of
commercial airplane assemblies and components. In addition to its
Kansas facility, Spirit has
locations in Tulsa and
McAlester, Okla.; Kinston, N.C.; Prestwick, Scotland; Samlesbury, England; Kuala
Lumpur, Malaysia; and is developing a new manufacturing
facility in Saint-Nazaire, France.
In the U.S., Spirit's core products include fuselages, pylons,
nacelles and wing components. Additionally, Spirit provides
aftermarket customer support services, including spare parts,
maintenance/repair/overhaul, and fleet support services in
North America, Europe and Asia. Spirit Europe produces wing components for a host of
customers, including Airbus.
This press release contains forward-looking statements
concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may vary
materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and
uncertainties, including but not limited to future levels of
business in the aerospace and commercial transport industries or in
the number of aircraft to be built; the success and timely
progression of our customers' new programs; challenges in the
design, development, production and support of advanced
technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including
but not limited to those detailed in Spirit AeroSystems Holdings,
Inc. Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
SOURCE Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.