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Pentagon warns Sikorsky on defective helicopters

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, December 15, 2006

WASHINGTON — The Defense Department has demanded the immediate repair of the Black Hawk and Seahawk fleet in the U.S. military before new sales to the Middle East.

The Pentagon has determined that the Black Hawk and Seahawk, both produced by Sikorsky Aircraft, were plagued by problems in the rear rotor tail. The helicopters have been deployed in the Middle East, and in November 2006 Turkey purchased the Seahawk.

In a Nov. 22 letter to Sikorsky, the Pentagon's Defense Contract Management Agency gave the company 30 days to repair recurring mishaps in the Black Hawk. The letter warned Sikorsky, based in Stratford, Conn., against exporting defective helicopters to Turkey and other countries.

"At a minimum, I expect a complete and comprehensive plan which addresses the circumstances ennumerated above, ensures contractual compliance, and prevents recurrence," DCMA's Dorothy Freer wrote to Sikorsky Aircraft. "However, due to the serious nature of the quality issues, I expect immediate action to mitigate the mounting risk."

Ms. Freer cited Pentagon concern over Sikorsky's assembly of the Black Hawk. She said the company was increasingly outsourcing production in an attempt to meet deadlines.

"The drive to outsource, which has grown from the transformation, has become the panacea to Sikorsky's inability to meet schedule and is increasing the number of quality defects," the letter to Sikorsky president Jeffery Pinto read. "An example of this phenomenon is the offload/ outsource of the U/HH-60L/S70 production/assembly line. There have been at least four different 'homes' for this process since I first wrote you. They have been Stratford, West Palm Beach, Crestview, and Schweitzer."

Sikorsky plans to outsource much of the production of Black Hawk to Turkey and other countries. The company has been competing in a Turkish tender for the procurement of up to 52 helicopters for Ankara's military and security forces.

The Pentagon said Sikorsky has been hampered by lack of planning as well as continued production of defective parts. Ms. Freer said the quality of Sikorsky's helicopters has been declining even as the company increased exports.

Ms. Freer appeared to be referring to a Sikorsky deal to sell 17 Seahawk 70B naval helicopters to Turkey. She expressed concern over the latest sale and its affect on quality for the U.S. military.

"I realize that some of these will be direct commercial sales, but I am concerned what impact the increase in volume will have on military aircraft schedule, quality, and cost," the letter read. "While I have been provided briefings on some portions of your plans, I have not seen a comprehensive strategic and tactical plan addressing Sikorsky's future ability to meet overall delivery requirements."

Congress has been monitoring the Black Hawk difficulties at Sikorsky. Rep. Chris Shays, a Republican from Connecticut, warned the company that time was running out.

"There can never be a question about quality when it come to the equipment our men and women in the armed forces use," Shays said. "The management of Sikorsky needs to address every concern and quickly."


Copyright © 2006 East West Services, Inc.

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