Helicopter - S-70 would have been perfect for Norway - Rotor&Wings

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Sikorsky Accepts Prototype for Turkish Helo Program

Amy Kluber

Sikorsky said it has accepted a prototype aircraft by its Polish subsidiary PZL Mielec for the Turkish Utility Helicopter Program (TUHP) to build a fleet of multi-role T70 helicopters.

The undersecretariat signed a contract with TAI and the subcontractors on Feb. 21, 2014, to procure 109 helicopters based on Sikorsky’s S-70i International Black Hawk for use by Turkey's Land Forces, Air Forces, Gendarmerie, National Police and Special Forces Command, as well as its Director of General Forestry.

The prototype, said Sikorsky's program director for TUHP, incorporates Black Hawk mission equipment options. PZL also added a rescue hoist, international auxiliary fuel tank, cargo hook, integrated vehicle health management system, a blade de-icing system and a rotor brake.

In 2017, Sikorsky will fly the prototype to Ankara where it will undergo testing for its new avionics suite that is being developed by Sikorsky and Aselsan.

The first Turkish T70 aircraft is expected to be certified and delivered to the Turkish government by 2021.

Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin