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BLOOMFIELD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 1, 2014-- Kaman Corp. (NYSE:KAMN) today announced that the New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) has accepted the first SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite helicopter for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF). Acceptance occurred at Kaman’s Bloomfield, Connecticut facility.
“We are pleased to have achieved this significant program milestone, which in addition to the acceptance of the first aircraft signifies acceptance of the aircraft design. This accomplishment was the result of significant effort and cooperation between Kaman, the MoD, and the NZDF,” stated Greg Steiner, President Kaman Aerospace Group.
Kaman and the MoD entered into a $120 million contract in May 2013 for the purchase of ten state-of-the-art Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite aircraft, spare parts, a full mission flight simulator, and related logistics support. Additional aircraft are scheduled to be accepted by the MoD in the next few weeks. The first three aircraft are projected to arrive in Auckland in early 2015 with the remaining deliveries of helicopters and equipment expected to occur by the end of 2015.
The SH-2G Super Seasprite is an advanced maritime weapon system and proven day/night/all-weather multi-mission helicopter. Originally designed to meet the exacting requirements of the U.S. Navy, the SH-2G Super Seasprite has the highest power-to-weight ratio of any maritime helicopter, assuring a safe return-to-ship capability even in single-engine flight conditions. Its robust design, outstanding stability, and excellent reliability have been proven through more than 1.5 million flight hours. The SH-2G is a multi-mission maritime weapon system designed to fulfill anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), over the horizon targeting, surveillance, troop transport, vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and utility missions. It is the largest, most powerful small ship helicopter in use today and is recognized for its mission effectiveness, support, and unmatched performance. The SH-2G Super Seasprite is currently operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy, the Egyptian Air Force and the Polish Navy.