Contractor agrees to pay $1.2 million to settle allegations over Black Hawk helicopters

Contractor settles allegations over Black Hawks

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — A military contractor has agreed to pay $1.2 million to settle allegations by federal authorities that it failed to test armor plated inserts used in Black Hawk helicopters.

U.S. Attorney for Connecticut David Fein announced Wednesday that Ceradyne Inc. of Costa Mesa, Calif., agreed to the settlement over the inserts it makes for Sikorsky Aircraft. The helicopters are used by the U.S. Army.

Stratford, Conn.-based Sikorsky reached a settlement with the government over the same issue last year and paid $2.9 million.

Authorities say they know of no injuries.

Ceradyne denied the government’s allegations. David Reed, president of North American operations for Ceradyne, said the company believed it had conducted sufficient tests, but wanted to avoid prolonged litigation.