In a potential contract worth $546 million, Sweden plans to purchase 15 Black Hawk helicopters from Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., equipped with engines from the GE Aviation unit of General Electric Co.
Separately, the U.S. Navy is adding $119 million to an existing contract with Sikorsky, which will supply components for the H-53 Sea Stallion helicopter. Production is slated for Stratford, where Sikorsky is based.
The Sweden deal is subject to approval of the U.S. Department of Defense, which is expected. Sweden plans to use the helicopters for medical evacuation and search-and-rescue operations in Afghanistan.
Sikorsky is a subsidiary of Hartford-based United Technologies Corp., and is the largest employer in Fairfield County with more than 9,000 workers.
GE has its headquarters in Fairfield; GE Aviation would manufacture the engines at a plant in Lynn, Mass. Separately, GE was named the prime contractor for a $155 million deal to refurbish engines for six Sikorsky Seahawk helicopters owned by Spain.
