Image Courtesy: Pflatsch
The Brunei Ministry of Defence (BMoD) has selected Sikorsky Aircraft’s S-70i Black Hawk helicopter to equip its Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF), as part of the RBAF Support Helicopter Project.
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The MoD has signed a contract with Sikorsky to supply 12 S-70i helicopters as well as associated spare parts, training and ground support equipment.
The contract also includes an option for ten additional aircraft and provision of an S-70i aircraft simulator for installation in the southeast Asian region to allow the Brunei aircrew to familiarise with the helicopter.
Sikorsky Sales and Marketing vice president Robert Kokorda said the company intends to form a close collaboration with the Brunei MoD to provide helicopter training and logistics support for the lifetime of the aircraft.
The 19.76m-long rugged and durable S-70i Black Hawk variant has a seating capacity of about 14 to 17 troops and can be easily configured for multiple missions, such as troop support, humanitarian relief, VIP transport, search and rescue, medical evacuation and armed patrol.
The S-70i helicopters deliver high reliability, performance and survivability in multirole operations and provide the operators with similar power and lift performance as the US Army’s UH-60M Black Hawk utility aircraft.
The aircraft features advanced avionics including a dual GPS/INS system with digital map to provide accurate navigation and enhanced situational awareness, as well as an active vibration control system to deliver a smooth ride during flight.
Currently more than 3,000 Black Hawk helicopters are deployed with 30 countries.
Delivery of the aircraft will begin in 2013.
Image caption: S-70i Black Hawk helicopter delivers high reliability, performance and survivability in multirole operations.
