Sikorsky has selected Asia Pacific Aerospace to support the Black Hawk global supply chain. As a part of the contract Asia Pacific Aerospace will perform a series of overhaul repairs on Black Hawk T700 engines flown by various international users at their regional maintenance facility in Pinkenba, Queensland from 2024-2026.
Speaking about the selection process of Asia Pacific Aerospace, Rodahn Gibbon, program manager, Australia’s Black Hawk Program, Lockheed Martin asserts that this opportunity will allows Asia Pacific Aerospace to maintain T700 skill sets and capabilities before the new Australian based engines enter the supply chain. “It also demonstrated Lockheed Martin’s enduring commitment to sustaining the ‘Hawk’ family of aircraft with excellence in Australia and across the globe,” Gibbon adds.
Asia Pacific Aerospace boasts of having international certification to carry out repairs and overhaul on T700 engines. This is a critical capability and is in high demand in Australia as the engines are common to the Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopters operated by the Australian Defence Force.
The demand will further rise as in the long-term Australia will have over 200 T700 engines in-country.
Together with Defence, Lockheed Martin Australia is growing Australia’s rotary-wing sustainment supply chain across the region to ensure timely and affordable solutions for the Australian Defence Force.
Reflecting on Asia Pacific Aerospace’s commitment to their work, Tony Cotroneo, general manager says that this contract will provide Black Hawk pilots peace of mind knowing they are fully supported by the aircraft original equipment manufacturer and as GE Aerospace’s sole authorised T700 MRO provider across the Asia-Pacific. “We deliver on our promise of ‘safety, skill and service’, every time,” Controneo adds.
Sikorsky’s decision to choose Asia Pacific Aerospace to supply advanced repair services for the Black Hawks entailed a rigorous qualification process, focusing on their significant MRO experience, competitive pricing, customer focus and reduced lead times.
Also Read: Curtiss-Wright Secures $26m Belgian Air Force Arresting Systems Modernization Contract
