Dedicates New Tech Center
On Monday, Sikorsky Aircraft
Corporation dedicated a new technical integration center in
Huntsville, AL. The new 30,000-square-foot facility will house
Sikorsky employees dedicated to support US Army Black Hawk
helicopters and other military aviation programs.
The Sikorsky Huntsville operation is expected to grow from 65
employees today to more than 160 employees over the next year,
company representatives tell ANN. Employment opportunities will
include the areas of engineering, worldwide customer service
(logistics), and program management. New positions are to be filled
predominantly by new hires from the local area.
"The Huntsville Technical Integration Center provides a strong
opportunity for Sikorsky Aircraft to align with the mission of
'Team Redstone' in nearby Redstone Arsenal, providing basic and
advanced weapons system research and development and ultimately
placing the right aviation systems with our troops," said Sikorsky
President Jeffrey Pino.
"As the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Plan is funded and put
into effect, Redstone Arsenal will become even more of a military
R&D focal point as agencies such as the Army Materiel Command,
the Space and Missile Defense Command, the Aviation Technical Test
Center, and the US Army Security Assistance Command all become
concentrated there. Sikorsky looks forward to this collaboration
between the Huntsville Technical Integration Center and the
Redstone Arsenal."
Mark Miller, Sikorsky vice president for research and
engineering, said the work to be done in Huntsville will follow the
joint mission by Sikorsky and Redstone Arsenal to provide the best,
most technically advanced rotorcraft to Army aviators.
"In the long term, the benefits and applications from this
collective effort can be extensive from both the technology
development and customer support standpoints," Miller said. "What
we achieve and learn here can help improve all our military
aircraft and even shape future platforms."
"This is great news for Huntsville," said Senator Richard
Shelby, R-Alabama. "United Technologies' further expansion into
Alabama will create significant job growth for the region and will
continue Sikorsky's ardent support of the Army's Black Hawk
helicopter program. I am proud that Sikorsky once again recognizes
Alabama's ability to provide a dedicated and educated workforce and
I look forward to continuing this already strong partnership."