AUSA, Washington, D.C., Maryland - 

LifePort, Inc. today announced it will equip U.S. Navy Sikorsky CH-53E helicopters with its Critical Systems Armor (CSA) to reduce aircraft systems damage from hostile small arms fire and other threats during combat operations. There are 40 CSA kits currently under production with deliveries beginning in the fourth quarter of this year. A Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) company, LifePort is recognized as an industry leader in mission equipment. SAS is the aftermarket business of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).

The announcement was made during the Annual Meeting and Exposition of the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) in Washington, D.C.

“LifePort’s expertise in developing and designing armor solutions is the basis for this contract selection. Our engineering resources meet the U.S. Navy’s specifications, and we are the only company in the marketplace today able to provide this type of lightweight ballistic performance,” said Noah Zuckerman, Vice President and General Manager of LifePort. “By the first quarter of 2014, U.S. Navy aircraft will be equipped with LifePort’s armor systems, and we are very proud to be an instrumental part of this critical component protection upgrade.”

The CH-53E helicopter’s existing safety features include armored pilot seats and a ballistic protection system that covers the cockpit, passenger compartment floor areas and the aircraft ramp. To diminish the threat of critical aircraft systems failure from hostile fire, the U.S. Navy has identified the need for CSA protection. The CSA kits are mission-configurable assemblies of armor protective panels installed in various locations on the aircraft.

The CH-53E SUPER STALLION™ helicopter is deployed with U.S. Marine Corps heavy lift helicopter squadrons. With its three-engine design, the aircraft is the largest, heaviest and most powerful helicopter in the U.S. military. It is the only helicopter that can lift the 155mm howitzer, its crew and ammunition, as well as lift an aircraft as heavy as itself.

LifePort, Inc. is a leader in the design and manufacture of mission equipment, specializing in air medical systems, lightweight armor, interior components and galley equipment for fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture and service. Its Sikorsky Aerospace Services business designs and applies advanced logistics and supply chain solutions for commercial rotary, military rotary and fixed-wing operators. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries worldwide.