Sikorsky is very commited to the Latin American market, with Columbia as a possible future hub for the region. Over 300 helicopters have been fielded in the country, and Mexico will have the second largest fleet by the end of 2018.
At FIDAE, MT learned that the Chilean Air Force (FACH) is planing to procure procure new helicopters, with an RfP issued 2015 and a first selection coming this year. According to the FACH, the requirement would likely be around six to seven helicopters.
In other news, according to Rafael, the Colombian Air Force (FAC) has a programme to integrate Rafael SPIKE air-to-ground missiles onto several BLACK HAWKs, which are being upgraded to Mark IV standard. Rafael will integrate the launcher and computer in order to fire all SPIKE variants.
Photos show:
1: External image of the UH-60 Colombia Flight Simulator in Melgar, Colombia. The simulator is managed by the Corporación de la Industria Aeronáutica de Colombia (CIAC), an aerospace support provider for the Colombian Ministry of Defense.
2: In nearby Tolemaida, at the Colombia Army Base, Sikorsky operates a BLACK HAWK helicopter depot repair facility. The 32,000 sq. ft. (2,972 sq. m) facility is fully tooled and equipped to provide complete airframe structural repairs to BLACK HAWK aircraft.
3/4: BLACK HAWK helicopters with the Colombian National Police and Army.
