Pubdate: Sat, 20 Jan 2001 Source: Huntsville Times (AL) Copyright: 2001 The Huntsville Times Contact: P.O. Box 1487, Huntsville AL 35807 Fax: (256) 532-4213 Website: http://www.htimes.com/ Forum: http://www.al.com/forums/huntsville/ Author: Shelby G. Spires 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. - --- MAP posted-by: Jo-D