02/16/2007
Sikorsky opens new center in Stratford
By: Tristram DeRoma , Bard Editor

Sikorsky Aircraft recently stretched it's wings a bit, celebrating the recent opening of its new "Heavy Lift Development Center."
Located on Broadbridge Avenue in the former headquarters of Dictaphone, the HLDC will be a place where about 540 Sikorsky employees will develop plans that will eventually become the massive CH-53K, a helicopter that will replace the aging CH-53E, the Marine Corps' current workhorse it uses as a flying crane and cargo mover.

According to Paul Martin, senior vice president of government and advanced development programs at Sikorsky, the building pulls together employees from 16 different locations throughout the company.

"Today, they're all working together," said Martin. "Company, customer, and all our supplier communities are right here in this building in Stratford."

According to Sikorsky Aircraft, The CH-53E is the second largest helicopter in the world, and the CH-53K will occupy that same place once its built, but it will be more advanced technologically.

"The Sikorsky CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter has been the most capable marinized heavy-lift helicopter in the world for more than 25 years," said Sikorsky Aircraft President Jeffrey Pino in a press release. "The new CH-53K promises a marked improvement in payload, range and 'hot-high' capabilities -- taking this great aircraft into the next phase of its illustrious career."

According to Martin, the CH-53K will very different in many ways than the 53E. "This is an all-new technology, all-new aircraft, and an all-new program," said Martin. "This aircraft responds to today's need of the United States Marine Corps and the warfighter that is fighting the global war on terror."

The new aircraft will use more composites in its fuselage, as well as digital controls and avionics, as well as a new type of drive train and transmission technology. "All of those technologies are going to result in a safer aircraft, a less vulnerable aircraft that's going to bring our troops home much more often and safely than before," Martin said.

Production models of the aircraft are due to be tested in 2011, with full production starting in 2015. According to a press release, the new helicopter will reduce current operating costs by 50 percent, in comparison to how much it takes to run the 53E. It will also carry double the payload capacity twice as far as the 53E. About 156 of the aircraft will be produced.

According to Lt. General John Castellaw, deputy commandant for aviation with the Marine Corps, the sooner the aircraft gets built the better. During his speech to the 50 or so engineers and executives gathered for the occasion, he urged the special group to work as hard as it can to make the helicopter a reality.

"I challenge each and every one of you to keep this program on track, meet the timelines that are necessary to deliver this aircraft, because we are in a long war in which Iraq and Afghanistan are just campaigns," he said.

After thanking the armed services for keeping the country safe, and cracking a few jokes about his service in the Army's 82nd Airborne, Mayor James Miron made some remarks about Sikorsky's long history in Stratford.

"We are very lucky to have Sikorsky Aircraft headquartered here in the town of Stratford. We have the best workforce and infrastructure to provide for Sikorsky's success. Anything I can do in the future to help Sikorsky succeed, don't hesitate to call me," said Miron.

Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn, could not attend, but through a press release echoed Miron's statements.

"Using land where the Dictaphone building once resided to house part of this state-of-the-art facility plays an important part in the economic development to the Town of Stratford," she said.

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=17861054&BRD=1637&PAG=735&dept_id=9180&rfi=6