MD Helicopters (MDHI) and Kaman Aerospace have announced a multi-year agreement which will see Kaman provide critical components for MDHI’s helicopter production programme.
The deal will involve production of rotor blades, pitch cases and flex beams – key components for the MD Explorer and other aircraft.
"We are delighted to have completed this long-term agreement with Kaman Aerospace," says Lynn Tilton, chairman of MDHI.  "Kaman is recognised for its indelible commitment to quality and to its customers and they epitomise the vendor-partner we seek to align with over the next decade."

Capital
Sal Bordonaro, president of Kaman Aerospace's helicopter division, says: "MDHI is a completely different company today with new capital and strong leadership. We are pleased to move forward with this partnership.
"This new agreement involves demanding quality requirements and a commitment to long-term cost reduction and is ideally suited to take advantage of Kaman's expertise in the field. We expect that this arrangement will benefit customers for years to come."
Since being acquired by Patriarch Partners, MDHI has been pursuing the US Army's $1.3 billion 322-aircraft Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) programme and has submitted a proposal based on the MD Explorer. MDHI was originally teamed with Lockheed Martin but the partnership was disbanded earlier this year.
MDHI has also recently delivered two MD 600Ns to the Turkish national police.
The two aircraft are the third and fourth of 10 ordered by the TNP and will be based near Ankara.
The TNP bases its existing MD 600Ns at Ankara and Istanbul, using them for general law enforcement missions around the country. The remaining aircraft are scheduled for delivery over the next year.
"Law enforcement agencies around the world rely on MD Helicopters to protect citizens and perform missions to help those in need," says Robert René, MDHI chief executive. "The MD 600N, along with our entire line of helicopters, is a category leader in value and reliability."

PAUL DERBY

Source: Flight Daily News