Article Posted on : - Nov 16, 2010

An S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter. A Sikorsky photo

MIELEC, POLAND (BNS): An S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter has flown in Poland for the first time, marking a historic milestone for the helicopter line being produced by Sikorsky Aircraft’s company in Poland, PZL Mielec.

PZL Mielec is the final assembly center for the S-70i helicopter, the newest BLACK HAWK variant, which is being produced for the international market.

The aircraft that took flight in Poland Monday is the second helicopter to be produced at PZL Mielec.

“The S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter program has been executed seamlessly and Sikorsky Aircraft celebrates this landmark moment,” said Robert Mastronardi, S-70i Senior Program Manager, Sikorsky Military Systems.

While the second aircraft in the new line begins to accumulate production flight test hours, the first-ever S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter recently completed flight testing in the United States and is being fitted out with options.

The options that will be developed for the S-70i will enable customers to perform missions such as humanitarian relief, search and rescue, medical evacuation, command and control, and armed patrol.

In addition, the next two aircraft in the S-70i BLACK HAWK helicopter program are in final assembly at PZL Mielec, with a fifth aircraft slated to begin production in December. Deliveries to the launch customer of the S-70i helicopter program are expected to begin in 2011, Sikorsky said in a release.