By Sangeeta Saxena
New Delhi. 02 January, 2016. It is the mother of all acquisitions, it is the biggest aviation story of 2015. Igor Sikorsky’s legacy who pioneered helicopter development, still inspires the helicopter industry, is in the 2016, now a Lockheed Martin company. A company which has been for so many years synonymous to Connecticut shall now make Bethesda, the city of Lockheed Martin’s Head Quarter proud.
Notably, the city of Bridgeport , Connecticut , honoured the helicopter major by renaming its airport after Igor Sikorsky. The Mission of the Sikorsky Memorial Airport is to operate effectively in accordance with the regulations of the Federal Aviation Administration. Previously the airport was called Avon Field, and on 28 Sep 1911, the first US air show was held there.The Sikorsky R-4 was the world’s first production helicopter and the U.S. Army Air Corp’s first service helicopter. The original military model, the XR-4, was developed from the famous experimental VS-300 helicopter, invented by Igor Sikorsky and publicly demonstrated in 1940.
The world had come a long way from the time Leonardo Da Vinci created the first design of a machine in 1480, which was, back then, described as the ‘aerial screw’. That was the beginning of a new evolution. Many designs and models were developed on the concept ever since. But it was in 1939 the first working model of The Helicopter took its first flight. It was designed by Igor I. Sikorsky and ever since the developments and utilities of the helicopters have never looked back, and so never has the company established by Igor. It may be recalled that Igor Sirosky invented the helicopter after he considered that fixed wings aircraft could not have saved lives. True to his philosophy, Sikorsky has been innovating continuously to meet the need of the various nations.
Lockheed Martin on 06 November, 2015 closed its acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft, a world leader in military and commercial rotary-wing aircraft. “Today we are proud to welcome the Sikorsky team to Lockheed Martin,” said Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin Chairman, President and CEO. “Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky share a legacy of innovation and performance that has shaped the history of aviation for more than a century. Together, we are even better positioned to provide the best value for our customers, employees and shareholders.” Now completed, the acquisition of Sikorsky Aircraft is Lockheed Martin’s commitment to provide its customers with mission-ready solutions that are affordable and efficient, while expanding its core business into the growing areas of helicopter production and sustainment.
Dan Schultz is the President of Sikorsky. Schultz led the integration efforts for Lockheed Martin leading up to the closure. “Dan is a former Marine helicopter pilot and has decades of experience in the rotary-wing segment, including leading Lockheed Martin’s helicopter system integration business,” Hewson said. “He brings a wealth of leadership experience and a deep understanding of our international customer base. I am confident he is the right person to lead Sikorsky at this pivotal time.”
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, will retain its headquarters in Stratford, Connecticut. The line of business employs nearly 15,000 employees in 11 countries. Its helicopters are used by all five branches of the U.S. armed forces, along with military services and commercial operators in 40 nations. With Sikorsky joining Lockheed Martin, the U.S. will maintain an industrial base with the same number of key helicopter providers, ensuring the sector remains competitive and stable over the long term. By harnessing the talent and skill of both Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky employees, both companies will continue to deliver the proven, innovative and affordable solutions that meet customers’ most challenging needs.
Sikorsky had a been part of UTC since 1929, when United Technologies was known as United Aircraft. Although Sikorsky was initially known for fixed-wing amphibious aircraft, under Igor Sikorsky’s direction it began work on its first helicopter in the 1930s. The Vought-Sikorsky VS-300 first flew in 1939, and in 1942 the Sikorsky R-4 became the first mass-produced helicopter.
Sikorsky’s brand will be maintained and it will be known as Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company,” functioning as a standalone business. Lockheed Martin CFO Tanner stated, “We’re not buying this business for the next three years; we’re buying it for the next three decades. The purchase is a good fit and this is our core knitting.”
Lockheed paid a lot, but Sikorsky is very strong, feel pundits of the industry. They see Sikorsky as one of Lockheed Martin’s few opportunities to expand its manufacture of defense platforms. Lockheed’s last solo helicopter program was the AH-56 Cheyenne fast attack helicopter, canceled in 1972 after manufacture of 10 prototypes.
The 90-year-old Sikorsky Aircraft manufactures a range of military helicopters, including the famous Black Hawk, used by 25 nations for multi-mission support, and the Seahawk, used in marine operations. Its Marine One helicopter fleet is used to transport the US President, and last year Sikorsky won a $1.2 billion contract to build the next-generation of Marine Ones. Sikorsky has provided helicopters to fly US Presidents from Eisenhower to Obama, the Queen of England and other VVIPs. The list is endless.
And what does this acquisition mean for India, which has had both Sikorsky and Lockheed well entrenched into its aviation and defence universe? Buying out of one global giant by another will definitely mean a positive for India which is not only acquiring from both but also has joint ventures with both, in India. The Indian Navy has also been selected the US Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk for its shipboard Multi Role Helicopter (MRH) requirement. This is an unfinished agenda Sikorsky, A Lockheed Martin Company, will have to finish.
Tata Sikorsky Aerospace Limited, a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. India and Sikorsky Aircraft Company USA based in Hyderabad, AP India primarily focuses on manufacturing approx. 4000 parts for the S92 helicopter cabins and the cabin itself. In fact, airframes of the new set of Marine One helicopters (the S-92 chopper made by Sikorsky), meant for the exclusive use of the US President, are being made by the joint venture in India.
Tata Lockheed Martin Aerostructures Limited, a joint venture between Tata Advanced Systems Limited and Lockheed Martin Aeroframe Corporation (LMAC), which is subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation, USA- based in Hyderabad, AP India. The objective of this subsidiary is to create strategic high quality, lower cost, and build-to-print manufacturing capability in India. Initial focus area is assembly of aero-structure which includes centre wing box and empennage for defence aircraft.
And of course no story on erstwhile Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a unit of United Technologies Corp in India can be written without mentioning the role of Air Vice Marshal Arvind Walia (Retd), Sikorsky’s Regional Executive for India and South Asia. “We mean well and we mean business, on-time performance and deliveries, precision qualities and latest technologies,” was always his statement and he must have reiterated more than a dozen times to the author, “ Sikorsky is optimistic about its Indian footprint and always will be a part of the Make in India march.”
Aviation enthusiasts, industry watchers and Sikorsky choppers’ die hard followers are all hoping that the change of ownership of the company is for the better and the manufacturer keeps up with its technological drive, innovation march and continues to expand its growth in the international market.
