In November 2006, the Pentagon sent a letter to Sikorsky Aircraft criticizing its management for quality control and delays in the production of Black Hawk helicopters. Sikorsky, a division of United Technologies, subsequently submitted a plan for addressing the concerns in a Level III corrective action request (CAR) issued in November, according to the Hartford Courant.

“Sikorsky did respond with a plan to address the government’s concern and this plan adequately addresses the issues as stated in the CAR,” said Ann Jensis-Dale, a defense contract spokeswoman.

The company will establish a training program for its Florida Black Hawk subcontractor that will teach employees the Sikorsky production system, and it will examine what its subcontractors actually do in the production of military helicopters.

The aircraft unit has increased the number of quality control inspectors at Crestview Aerospace Corp. from six to 15 and now does extra inspections of some key parts, such as rotor blade connections and flight controls.

Sikorsky is on the Web at www.sikorsky.com.

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