Curtiss-Wright Corporation, through its Motion Control segment, has received a contract from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation for the supply of Recovery Assist Secure and Traverse (RAST) probes to be fitted on 28 of the H-92 helicopters destined for the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Program. Valued at over $13 million, the contract includes all design, development, testing and delivery of production probes for the contracted helicopters.
The helicopter probe is required to interface with the shipboard RAST system provided by Curtiss-Wright under a separate contract awarded in 2004 to the Canadian Department of National Defence. RAST is a helicopter handling system which fully integrates all of the functions required to safely operate and stow large ship-borne helicopters. In addition to enabling safe launch and recovery, RAST facilitates the securing, maneuvering and hangaring of helicopters, day or night, even in adverse weather and high sea state conditions.'Curtiss-Wright has a long standing relationship with Sikorsky and is very pleased to be working on this exciting new helicopter program,' said Martin R. Benante, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Curtiss-Wright. The RAST system continues to prove its superior capabilities and best value. ' The RAST system is a state-of-the-art deck handling solution for shipboard helicopter operations and is currently in use by a number of navies around the world including those of the United States, Canada, Japan, Australia, Spain and Taiwan. The helicopter installed probe forms an integral part of the securing and handling system by providing the structural attachment point between the ship-installed RAST system and the helicopter. The H-92 helicopter, to be designated the CH148 Cyclone in Canadian service, is a marine-capable version of Sikorsky's successful S-92 helicopter. It was selected in 2004 following an open and extended competition, to replace the vintage SH-3 Sea King helicopters currently in operation aboard Canadian naval vessels. Shipboard trials with the Cyclone are currently scheduled for 2008. Work for this contract will be performed at Curtiss-Wright's facility in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. RAST Production deliveries are scheduled from 2008 to 2010. |
