CANBERRA---The Sikorsky built S-70B-2 aircraft in service with the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) have reached a milestone with the achievement of 40,000 flight hours in Australia.
The event was marked with a ceremony at HMAS Albatross where Sikorsky Regional Sales Executive, Asia Pacific, David Brown presented a plaque to Commander Andrew Whittaker of HS816 Squadron.
The RAN flies a fleet of 16 custom-equipped S-70B-2 aircraft that operate mainly from the FFG and ANZAC frigates. Sikorsky delivered the first S-70B-2 aircraft to the RAN Project Team in Stratford Connecticut in September 1989.
David Brown congratulated Commander Whittaker on the achievement and praised the Squadron for its outstanding safety record.
"This is a true partnership and I am delighted that 816 Squadron and Sikorsky have achieved this milestone in a way that reflects not only on the aircraft but also on the very high standards of your entire team."
Commander Whittaker noted that 816 Squadron was selected last year as the premier anti-submarine warfare (ASW) squadron.
David Brown's visit was also an opportunity to recognize the work of the maintenance team that supports the S-70B-2 aircraft. Sikorsky's local Field Service Representative, Mr. Tom Meeks, awarded the Sikorsky Australia Award for the best performing technician to Leading Seaman Karl Beyer.
The RAN's Sikorsky S-70B-2 aircraft derive from the S-70B Naval Hawk family of helicopters developed by Sikorsky to satisfy a broad range of ship and land based maritime requirements around the world. Deploying from carriers, cruisers, destroyers or frigates, Naval Hawks have the speed, payload and endurance to comb the sky, surface and under the sea for information vital to naval forces operations. More than 600 S-70B Naval Hawks are in service worldwide, including more than 100 in Asia. The U.S. Navy flies more than 350 Seahawks.
In addition to its primary warfare role, the RAN S-70B-2 aircraft provide a highly capable Search and Rescue platform as demonstrated by the rescues carried out during the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation, of Hartford, Conn., is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of advanced helicopters for commercial, industrial and military uses.
Sikorsky helicopters occupy a prominent position in the intermediate to heavy range of 5,300 kg. to 33,000 kg. gross weight. They are flown by all five branches of the United States armed forces, along with military services and commercial operators in more than 40 nations, including S-70A-9 Black Hawks and S-70B-2 Seahawks in service with the Australian Defence Force.
Sikorsky maintains a facility in Sydney which provides logistics support for Australian Navy and Army operations and includes engineering services, management of repairable items, technical publications and spares provision.
-ends- Navy S-70B-2 Helicopters Reach New Flight Hours Milestone
