Will Produce UH-1Y Airframes

Aero-News has learned aerospace manufacturing provider Crestview Aerospace Corporation has been awarded a multi-million dollar Bell Helicopter Textron contract. The contract calls for the production of UH-1Y helicopter airframe structures over an eight-year period and is potentially worth more than $100 million.

Major assembly production is slated to begin in January 2006 at Crestview’s Fairhope, AL plant. Crestview anticipates delivery of the first units in July 2006, and engagement of full-rate production of 15 units per year by 2008. 

Smaller detail and assembly parts will be manufactured at the company’s corporate headquarters in Crestview, FL, then shipped to Fairhope. Completed structures will be shipped to Bell’s Amarillo, TX plant for final completion.

“This contract is an earned reward for our 1,100 employees at Crestview for their continued efforts to exceed our customers’ expectations,” said Chuck Shanklin, president of Crestview. “This contract award is also great testimony that US aerospace companies can win global competitions.”

In addition to the UH-1Y Airframe contract, in December 2005 Bell awarded CAC a contract for the production of 30 Bell Model 210 tail-booms.

Company representatives tell Aero-News the latest contract was awarded due to CAC’s outstanding performance on the US Army’s Model 406 tail-boom, currently in production at CAC. This contract has the potential for a multi-year contract reaching production rates of five ship-sets per month, and could be valued in excess of $25 million.

As a result of these contracts, Crestview has added 40 employees to its Florida facility and will add 60 employees to its Fairhope, AL manufacturing plant by September 2006.

FMI: www.crestview-aerospace.com