Date: 06 Oct 2003
Time: 12:11
ATK (Alliant Techsystems) will design, manufacture and deliver lightweight composite tailcone structures to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation (SAC) for use in U.S. Armed Forces MH/UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
"ATK's composite tailcone is expected to save 50 pounds in weight over the existing tailcone," said Travis Campbell, president, ATK Composites. "The Black Hawk's lighter weight will allow the addition of mission critical equipment without reducing performance."
In the development phase, ATK Composites, Clearfield, Utah, will design and produce four composite demonstration units for qualification and production-ready status by 2006.
“Initial production calls for 60 units,” confirmed ATK. “The programme could expand to more than 1,500 Black Hawk helicopters and derivatives. Automated fiber placement and advanced hand lay-up processing techniques have been selected to produce the 13-foot-long conical structures.”
ATK Composites currently produces composites for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, F/A- 22 Raptor and C-17 Globemaster III military aircraft. Other key markets served include commercial aircraft and space launch vehicles.