Meggitt plc : Sikorsky chooses Meggitt for S-97 Raider™ helicopter

Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) has selected Meggitt Polymer & Composites and Meggitt Safety Systems for the newly-formed team building a next-generation helicopter-known as the S-97 Raider™-for evaluation by the US military. Meggitt's failsafe technology will prevent aircraft fuel systems from rupturing from the impact of crashes or bullets, while its fire protection systems will deliver fully integrated detection and suppression. 

Meggitt is among 35 companies announced as preferred suppliers by Sikorsky on January 12, during the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Aviation symposium at National Harbor, Maryland, near Washington DC.

"We are highly optimistic about partnering with Sikorsky on the S-97 Raider™ platform as it positions Meggitt squarely in the future of vertical lift technology," said John Skubina, Deputy President, Sr VP, Strategy Sales & Marketing, Meggitt Polymers & Composites.

Sikorsky and its team suppliers are funding the design and manufacture of two S-97 Raider prototype aircraft for flight evaluation by the US military in 2014. The programme is currently in the advanced design stage.

The Raider aircraft program follows Sikorsky's successful X2 Technology™ demonstrator aircraft, which in September 2010 achieved more than 250 knots flight speed, or twice the average cruise speed of a conventional helicopter. The National Aeronautic Association awarded Sikorsky the 2010 Robert J Collier Trophy for the achievement and for its potential as a future rotorcraft technology.

As an X2 rotorcraft design, the S-97 Raider helicopter will feature coaxial counter-rotating main rotors and a pusher propeller to provide dramatic improvements in manoeuverability, hover efficiency, high and hot climate performance and speed.

The Raider program has two principal objectives; to mature the X2 design with additional airframe and flight characteristics; and to offer the aircraft as a replacement candidate for the US Army's Armed Aerial Scout helicopter competition.

Defined as a light tactical helicopter, the single-engine Raider aircraft will weigh in at 11,000 lbs maximum gross weight.

The X2™ design is scalable, opening up a variety of potential mission uses including combat search and rescue, armed aerial scout, medical evacuation, attack, special operations, VIP and offshore oil transport.

For more information about the S-97 RAIDER program, please visit .

About Sikorsky

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX), is based in Stratford, Connecticut, US and is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, US, provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

About Meggitt PLC

Headquartered in the United Kingdom, Meggitt PLC is an international group operating in North America, Europe and Asia. Known for its specialised extreme environment engineering, Meggitt is a world leader in aerospace, defence and energy, employing over 10,000 people at more than 40 manufacturing facilities and regional offices worldwide.

Meggitt Polymers & Composites designs and develops aircraft seals, flexible fuel tanks and coatings, complex composite structures, smart ice protection systems along with sub-assemblies and interior panels and accessories.

The Meggitt Equipment Group, the division within which Meggitt Safety Systems is managed, was created to enable a set of strong, yet technologically-distinct businesses to market their offerings to specialist customers and yet benefit from the wider Meggitt group's investment in shared services and common processes. With Meggitt Safety Systems' aircraft fire protection and control systems, the division's capabilities include training systems (live and virtual fire) and combat support (ammunition-handling, military electronics cooling and countermeasure launch and recovery systems), avionics, automotive and industrial control electronics and unique heat transfer equipment for hydrocarbon processing.

In April 2011, Pacific Scientific Aerospace joined the Meggitt Equipment Group, bringing capabilities in power generation, linear motion control, safety and security and associated repair and overhaul services.

S-97 Raider and X2 are trademarks of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

For further information contact:

Frans Jurgens, Sikorsky Communications,

Phone: [phone],

Mobile: [phone]

[e-mail]

Fiona Greig, Corporate Communications, Meggitt PLC

[phone]