RIO de JANEIRO, Brazil - 

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), today announced that it has signed a Letter of Interest (LOI) with the Brazilian Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica (ITA) to establish a Rotorcraft Innovation Team. Rated as one of the top universities in Brazil in engineering and related fields, ITA is a federal government institution dedicated to provide high level education and research in the fields of Aerospace, Science and Technology.

Sikorsky made the announcement during the LAAD Defense and Security Exhibition in Rio de Janeiro.

The collaboration will accelerate the development of rotorcraft technologists in Brazil, whose military already flies both BLACK HAWK and SEAHAWK® helicopters, and will increase student and faculty exposure to rotorcraft. Sikorsky will provide mentoring to assist with these classes at the graduate and undergraduate levels. It also will support the procurement of relevant hardware and software to enable rotorcraft research.

As part of the collaboration, ITA will augment its already robust aerospace engineering program to provide curriculum related to rotorcraft, including experienced staff to instruct this new material, and provide faculty and student support for research related to rotorcraft.

“We are very pleased to collaborate with Brazil’s Instituto Tecnológico de Aeronáutica and to assist in the training of the next generation of aerospace leaders. As Sikorsky celebrates its 90th Anniversary of aviation innovation, we are excited to further encourage and enable rotorcraft innovation growth with a recognized academic leader in Brazil,” said Sikorsky President Mick Maurer.

“We welcome Sikorsky’s participation to work with us in growing our education curriculum to include rotorcraft design,” said ITA Rector Carlos Américo Pacheco. “We look forward to working with one of the world’s top helicopter companies to educate our outstanding engineering students.”

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., USA, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., USA, provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.