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.
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