Tata unveils first cabin for Sikrosky-92 helicopter

HYDERABAD - Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL) Sunday unveiled the first Sikrosky-92 helicopter cabin manufactured at its facility at the aerospace and precision engineering Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on the outskirts of Hyderabad.

TASL is scheduled to deliver the first cabin later this month to US-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corp, one of the world’s largest helicopter manufacturers and a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.

The cabin was unveiled at a glittering ceremony at the SEZ in the presence of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K. Rosaiah, Tata Sons Chairman Ratan N. Tata and United Technologies Chairman Louis Chnevert.

“The delivery of the Sikorsky S-92 cabin is on schedule and an important milestone for Tatas’ plans for the aerospace industry,” said Tata.

Sikorsky and Tata had signed an agreement in June 2009 for Tata Advanced Systems to manufacture cabins for Sikorsky S-92 helicopters.

“We look forward to a long, successful collaboration as we work together to meet the growing needs of India and the overall helicopter market in the coming years,” said Chenevert.

He said India was joining its global partners for S-92 helicopters that include Spain, China, Taiwan and Brazil.

The cabins for S-92 are currently made in Japan but it would now be done by TASL at its facility here.

There are currently 120 S-92 operating worldwide, with 75 of these in offshore oil and gap companies. “There is a great future for this aircraft,” said Chenevert.

Noting that the unveiling of the cabin coincides with President Barack Obama’s visit to India, he said United Technologies’ collaboration with Tata would prove mutually beneficial for India and the United States.

The TASL facility is export oriented and the cabins manufactured will form the overall helicopter structure that Sikorsky will integrate and complete for its global S-92 aircraft customers.

Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Davinder Kumar, TASL managing director and chief executive, said the facility started production on March 8, 2010, 72 days in advance.

TASL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Tata Sons, is focused on providing integrated solutions for aerospace, defence, homeland security and disaster management.

It was in July last year that, TASL launched Rs.1,000 crore facility at country’s first notified aerospace SEZ set up by Andhra Pradesh Industrial Infrastructure Corporation (APIIC) on 250 acres at Adibatla in neighbouring Ranga Reddy district.

Chenevert said United Technologies is a $53 billion company with 200,000 employees and business in 71 countries. It has three factories, one research centre, 100 offices in 60 cities and 5,000 direct employees in India.