Europe's EADS signs up Sikorsky for US Army helicopter bid

[leftchick]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20051003/pl_afp/usmilitaryeurope_051003223530

WASHINGTON (AFP) - European defence group EADS said it had tied up with US contractor Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in a bid to win a lucrative Pentagon contract to make advanced light helicopters for the US Army.

The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company said WestWind Technologies and cockpit training firm CAE USA had also joined the team in the hope that its UH-145 chopper will win the US Army's Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) contract.

"Bringing Sikorsky onto the UH-145 team ensures that our offering in the LUH competition is backed by the undisputed leader in contractor logistics support for military rotary-wing aircraft," EADS North America chief Ralph Crosby said.

"The addition of WestWind's integration capabilities and CAE's training expertise further strengthen our value proposition for the Army's LUH mission," he said.

"From platform to logistics support to training, our team will provide the US Army with the best solution to meet its light utility helicopter needs."