STRATFORD, Connecticut - 

Macquarie Rotorcraft Leasing, the helicopter operating leasing business of Macquarie Group, has contracted to acquire two S-92A™ and two S-76D™ helicopters from Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. along with an unspecified number of options to acquire additional aircraft. The four new helicopters will be configured initially for the oil and gas service markets. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX)

Carey Bond, President of Sikorsky Global Helicopters, said, “With this agreement, we welcome a new customer and want to express our appreciation to Macquarie Rotorcraft Leasing for the trust and confidence they have shown in our aircraft. We look forward to a long and productive relationship.”

With its proven performance in harsh environments, the S-92A helicopter has become an aircraft of choice for offshore oil operators. Sikorsky recently delivered its 200th S-92 helicopter, and the worldwide fleet has logged more than 600,000 flight hours to date, mostly serving the offshore oil and gas segment.

The S-76D helicopter is Sikorsky's newest aircraft, having received U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Type Certification in October 2012. Designed for safety, reliability and efficiency, the S-76D helicopter's standard equipment features include all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades; an advanced THALES integrated avionics system and autopilot; health and usage monitoring system; and active vibration control. The S-76D is powered by Pratt & Whitney Canada's compact and light-weight PW210S engine, which delivers the best in class power-to-weight ratio and fuel burn with excellent payload and range benefits. Rotor Ice Protection System for all-weather capability will be available as an option.

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