LONDON, July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW --Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) today announced an exclusive sales and distribution agreement with Northrop Grumman Corporation's Italy-based subsidiary, Northrop Grumman Italia (NGI), to equip BLACK HAWK utility aircraft with its NAVEX-12 Air Navigation System. Certified to military standards, the NAVEX-12 provides a lower weight, more reliable, fiber-optic air navigation system for BLACK HAWK utility helicopters. With OEM compatibility, NAVEX-12 will enhance SAS' strategic upgrade program for revitalizing helicopters eventually sold through the U.S. government's Excess Defense Articles (EDA) program. Sikorsky Aerospace Services is the worldwide aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (UTX).

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"We are excited to work with NGI and bring new opportunities to the BLACK HAWK market worldwide. This distribution agreement enables us to provide upgraded solutions and effectively manage material obsolescence for UH-60A and UH-60L helicopters," said Frank DiPasquale, SAS Vice President, Sales & Strategic Relationships. "SAS is continually augmenting its upgrade program, and this capability is part of our strategic international focus to increase foreign military sales."

NAVEX-12 is a lightweight Fiber-Optic Gyroscope Attitude Heading Reference System (FOG AHRS) designed as an upgrade solution to replace older mechanical Vertical Gyros compatible with Sikorsky's H-60A and H-60L platforms. Equivalent to the LISA-200 AHRS used by the U.S. Army, the Sikorsky-approved NAVEX -12 system offers both digital and analog interfaces, increased maintainability and improved reliability.

Additionally, this agreement allows SAS to offer the NAVEX-12 for installation on other rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft.

"This new relationship with Sikorsky Aerospace Services is a cornerstone in an ongoing endeavor to expand our presence in the high-technology navigation products sector," said Marco Clochiatti, Managing Director and General Manager of Northrop Grumman Italia. "We will work with SAS to meet the needs of the worldwide military community through superior product performance that offers outstanding reliability and significant total lifecycle cost savings."

Northrop Grumman (NOC) is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit http://www.northropgrumman.com for more information.

Sikorsky Aerospace Services provides comprehensive support to rotary- and fixed-wing operators around the world. It offers its military and commercial customers a full portfolio of support services, including material distribution, maintenance, overhaul & repair, aircraft modifications and life-cycle support. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., USA, provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide.

For more information about UTC's presence at the Farnborough Air Show, visit the http://www.utcaero.com Web site.

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Sikorsky Aerospace Services Awarded Exclusive International Distribution of Northrop Grumman's NAVEX-12 Air Navigation ...