Boeing Announces Supplier Agreement with Keystone Helicopter for Combat Search and Rescue Program

The Boeing Company has announced an agreement with Keystone Helicopter of West Chester, Pa., to design, manufacture and deliver a patient treatment area for the HH-47 aircraft proposed for the U.S. Air Force Combat Search and Rescue helicopter program.

"Boeing is proud of its HH-47 proposal and supplier network support," said Rick Lemaster, Boeing HH-47 program manager. "Keystone Helicopter represents the solid support and quality our suppliers bring to the program, and we are confident their involvement will be a major factor in winning the CSAR-X competition."

CSAR-X is a U.S. Air Force initiative to procure more capable and survivable aircraft able to recover isolated personnel from hostile or denied territory. The tandem rotor, heavy lift, high altitude HH-47 is based on the CH/MH-47 Chinook tandem rotor transport helicopter, with performance capabilities that have been widely demonstrated in the ongoing war on terrorism and in numerous U.S. and international humanitarian relief operations.

"This new program provides us with the opportunity to support our soldiers and showcase many of our strongest talents, including our engineering design, certification and manufacturing capabilities," said Dave Ford, president of Keystone Helicopter. "We're proud to put our skill and expertise to work for such a worthwhile and high profile program."

Keystone will design and manufacture an interior patient treatment area to provide life-sustaining emergency medical care for up to six littered or eight ambulatory patients. Keystone's new design facilitates rapid installation, removal and storage of the medical interior, while providing unobstructed access to each patient.

Keystone Helicopter is a full-service maintenance and completion center anchored by the Heliplex, a new, state-of-the-art technical services depot in Coatesville, Pa. Keystone is a factory-authorized service center for Bell, Eurocopter, MD Helicopter, Rolls Royce, Turbomeca, Pratt & Whitney and Sikorsky products. Keystone was acquired by Sikorsky Aircraft in 2005. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacturing and service. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. [NYSE: UTX], based in Hartford, Conn. United Technologies Corp. provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.