AMCOM AWARD TO AID COLOMBIA DRUG WAR

Contract To Sikorsky Will Help Maintain Blackhawks

The Army's Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal issued a
contract earlier this month that will support anti-drug efforts in Colombia.

Under the contract, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. of Stratford, Conn., will be
paid no more than $24.3 million to provide, on behalf of the State
Department, maintenance and equipment support for the UH-60 Blackhawk
helicopter being used by the Colombian Army and Colombian National Police.

The Colombians maintain a fleet of UH-60 Blackhawk and UH-1 Huey
helicopters that are used mainly in anti-drug sweeps, according to the U.S.
State Department.

The contract is part of a $1.7 billion anti-drug package for Colombia
approved by Congress in 2000.

Sikorsky will provide support, spare parts and some protective shelters as
part of the contract, said Bob Hunt, AMCOM spokesman.

"The contract is to pay for repair parts on Blackhawk helicopters and to
purchase hangars," Hunt said.

The hangars are needed to shelter maintenance workers and the helicopters
in the harsh environment of the Colombian mountains and jungle regions. The
units using the helicopters will sometimes be located away from major
military bases, and small hangars will be needed for support.

The Blackhawk was first flown in 1974 and has been used by the Army since
1979. The helicopter measures about 65 feet long and stands about 17 feet
high. Depending on the way a Blackhawk is configured, it can be armed with
light machine guns and rocket pods. It can also carry a fully armed squad
of up to 12 men.

The Army manages the UH-60 and the UH-1 helicopter programs at Redstone
Arsenal through the Program Executive Office for Aviation. Army weapons and
aviation sales to other countries are also managed at Redstone Arsenal
through the Security Assistance Management Directorate.