Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has selected Asia Pacific Aerospace, one of Australia’s leading gas turbine engine maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) companies, to support the Black Hawk global supply chain.
Sikorsky’s decision to choose Asia Pacific Aerospace to supply advanced repair services for the Black Hawks entailed a rigorous qualification process, focusing on their significant MRO experience, competitive pricing, customer focus and reduced lead times. Across 2024-2026, Asia Pacific Aerospace will perform a series of overhaul repairs on Black Hawk T700 engines flown by various international users at their regional maintenance facility in Pinkenba, Queensland.
Lockheed Martin Australia’s Black Hawk Program Manager Rodahn Gibbon said, “This collaboration demonstrates Lockheed Martin’s enduring commitment to sustaining the ‘Hawk’ family of aircraft with excellence in Australia and across the globe. This opportunity allows Asia Pacific Aerospace to maintain T700 skill sets and capabilities before the new Australian based engines enter the supply chain. Asia Pacific Aerospace is internationally certified to carryout repairs and overhaul on T700 engines. A critical capability in high demand in Australia because those engines are common to the Black Hawk and Seahawk helicopters operated by the Australian Defence Force. In the long-term, Australia will have over 200 T700 engines in-country. Together with Defence, Lockheed Martin Australia is growing Australia’s rotary-wing sustainment supply chain across the region to ensure timely and affordable solutions for the Australian Defence Force and our customers abroad.”
The Chief Executive for Lockheed Martin Australia and New Zealand said, “We are active in deepening Australia’s MRO capacity and supporting industry access global supply chain opportunities. We deliver outcomes through partnerships and as such are very pleased to partner with an exceptional company like Asia Pacific Aerospace.”
Asia Pacific Aerospace’s General Manager Tony Cotroneo said, “Having Lockheed Martin (Sikorsky) as a new and major customer to Asia Pacific Aerospace, in supporting their customer’s T700 engine MRO requirements is beneficial for all parties involved. It provides the Black Hawk pilots peace of mind knowing they are fully supported by the aircraft original equipment manufacturer and as GE Aerospace’s sole authorised T700 MRO provider across the Asia-Pacific. We deliver on our promise of ‘safety, skill and service’, every time.”
The contracts were brokered under Lockheed Martin’s Global Supply Chain Program agreement with the Commonwealth of Australia.