Sikorsky Aircraft and Aero Vodochody a.s. Sign MOU for Cooperation in Central & Eastern Europe

- Companies Celebrate 250th S-76(R) Helicopter Airframe Completion -

ODOLENA VODA, Czech Republic, April 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. and Aero Vodochody a.s. today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly explore aerospace industry cooperation in Central and Eastern Europe. The companies also celebrated the 250th S-76(R) helicopter airframe to roll off the production line at Aero Vodochody. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX).

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“Aero Vodochody is a very important supplier for Sikorsky and its work on the S-76 helicopter airframes has continued to excel, year over year. It is fitting that today’s MOU announcement is accompanied by the marking of the 250th airframe completion, as it demonstrates the tremendous strength of our collaboration while pointing to a promising future,” said Mick Maurer, Vice President, Operations.

“We most highly value our cooperation with a world leader in helicopter production, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. The 250th unit completed in our company thus represents a great milestone in our mutual cooperation. The S-76 helicopter airframe production is the largest program of our company in the field of aerostructures, which represent a key part of our current strategy,” said Igor Hulak, President of Aero Vodochody. “The MOU is another step toward the future achievements that our companies will pursue together.”

Sikorsky has been growing its European business activities over the last several years. In 2007, PZL Mielec in Poland became a Sikorsky affiliate and is the future manufacturer of the S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter. Sikorsky also is actively exploring business opportunities with strategic European partners for component manufacturing and service centers for the entire Sikorsky product line.

Aero Vodochody has been supplying airframes for the Sikorsky S-76 helicopter since 2000. The program includes detail part fabrication, airframe assembly, installation of hydraulic, electronic and fuel systems and avionics, and, following ground tests of the installed systems, management of more than 200 suppliers. The helicopter airframes are transported from Aero Vodochody by land to Germany, and then shipped to the United States. Finishing work is carried out at Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. facilities in the United States. Aero Vodochody also has produced airframes of the development phase of the S-76D model, the newest version of the S-76 helicopter.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. The company’s long commitment to safety and innovation is reflected in its mission statement: “We pioneer flight solutions that bring people home everywhere … every time(TM).” United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., USA, provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

About Aero Vodochody a.s.

Aero Vodochody a.s. is the largest aerospace manufacturer in the Czech Republic, mainly focusing on cooperation with leading aerospace manufacturers in international aerostructures projects – Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (S-76C helicopter), Alenia Aeronautica (C-27J Spartan center wing box), Latecoere (Embraer 170/190 subassemblies), Saab (JAS-39 Gripen pylons), Spirit Aerosystems (B767 fixed leading edge kits), EADS (A320/340 subassemblies), etc. The Military Program of Aero is a long-term partner to the Czech Air Force. This year, Aero celebrates 90 years since its founding and thus ranks among the oldest aerospace manufacturers in the world.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in government procurement priorities and practices or in the number of aircraft to be built; 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 from time to time in United Technologies Corporation’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

SOURCE Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.