twoeagles
Senior Airman
Quoting the "Hartford Courant", January 20:
ARMY ENDS SIKORSKY CONTRACT; DECISION INVOLVING BLACK HAWK REPAIRS A SIGN OF WIDER PROBLEMS WITH WORKLOAD: In the latest sign that Sikorsky Aircraft is overwhelmed by its workload, the Army has ended a repair contract with a Sikorsky subsidiary, citing "continuous quality, production and cost issues." The decision means Sikorsky Support Services Inc. will lose optional contract extensions for the repair of more than 800 Black Hawk helicopters worth $88 million over four years. Sikorsky opened a facility in Beeville, TX, after winning an initial $19.3 million Army contract to repair 40 battle-worn helicopters in late 2005. As many as 200 people could lose their jobs unless the company finds new work for the site or transfers employees elsewhere, Sikorsky spokesman Ed Steadham said. The Army decision indicates that Sikorsky's recent difficulty in keeping on schedule in its signature Black Hawk programs is more widespread than previously disclosed, affecting not only its production of new helicopters, but also maintenance operations. It comes less than two months after a federal contract overseer blasted Sikorsky management for delays and errors in the production of new Black Hawks and demanded immediate corrective action. In a public address last month, George David, chief executive of Hartford-based United Technologies Corp., Sikorsky's parent, acknowledged that Sikorsky was behind schedule in producing new aircraft. He blamed the delays on Sikorsky's ambitious growth plans, its increasing reliance on subcontractors, and last spring's six-week employee strike at the company's headquarters plant in Stratford. Delays will persist deep into 2007, he said. "They are overtaxed," said Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst with Teal Group in Virginia. Steadham declined to comment on the reasons for the Army's ending of the repair contract. He said the company has invited employees at the Texas facility to apply for other Sikorsky jobs. The company is also looking for other projects for the Texas site. In late 2005, the Army and Sikorsky signed a $19.3 million contract requiring the company to restore 40 battle-worn A- and L-model Black Hawks to pre-combat conditions. The Army cut the requirement to 25 helicopters after it realized that the company could not meet its commitment, said Kim Henry, a spokeswoman for the Army Aviation Missile Command in Alabama. Several Defense Department agencies conducted "extensive reviews" with Sikorsky about its performance, ultimately leading to the decision not to renew the contract, Henry said. (Eric Gershon, Hartford Courant – 1/20)
ARMY ENDS SIKORSKY CONTRACT; DECISION INVOLVING BLACK HAWK REPAIRS A SIGN OF WIDER PROBLEMS WITH WORKLOAD: In the latest sign that Sikorsky Aircraft is overwhelmed by its workload, the Army has ended a repair contract with a Sikorsky subsidiary, citing "continuous quality, production and cost issues." The decision means Sikorsky Support Services Inc. will lose optional contract extensions for the repair of more than 800 Black Hawk helicopters worth $88 million over four years. Sikorsky opened a facility in Beeville, TX, after winning an initial $19.3 million Army contract to repair 40 battle-worn helicopters in late 2005. As many as 200 people could lose their jobs unless the company finds new work for the site or transfers employees elsewhere, Sikorsky spokesman Ed Steadham said. The Army decision indicates that Sikorsky's recent difficulty in keeping on schedule in its signature Black Hawk programs is more widespread than previously disclosed, affecting not only its production of new helicopters, but also maintenance operations. It comes less than two months after a federal contract overseer blasted Sikorsky management for delays and errors in the production of new Black Hawks and demanded immediate corrective action. In a public address last month, George David, chief executive of Hartford-based United Technologies Corp., Sikorsky's parent, acknowledged that Sikorsky was behind schedule in producing new aircraft. He blamed the delays on Sikorsky's ambitious growth plans, its increasing reliance on subcontractors, and last spring's six-week employee strike at the company's headquarters plant in Stratford. Delays will persist deep into 2007, he said. "They are overtaxed," said Richard Aboulafia, an aerospace analyst with Teal Group in Virginia. Steadham declined to comment on the reasons for the Army's ending of the repair contract. He said the company has invited employees at the Texas facility to apply for other Sikorsky jobs. The company is also looking for other projects for the Texas site. In late 2005, the Army and Sikorsky signed a $19.3 million contract requiring the company to restore 40 battle-worn A- and L-model Black Hawks to pre-combat conditions. The Army cut the requirement to 25 helicopters after it realized that the company could not meet its commitment, said Kim Henry, a spokeswoman for the Army Aviation Missile Command in Alabama. Several Defense Department agencies conducted "extensive reviews" with Sikorsky about its performance, ultimately leading to the decision not to renew the contract, Henry said. (Eric Gershon, Hartford Courant – 1/20)
