WASHINGTON, Jan. 18, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. [NYSE: UTX], and Boeing [NYSE: BA] signed a teaming agreement on Jan. 13 to submit a joint proposal in response to the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate solicitation for the Army's Joint Multi-Role (JMR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) Phase 1 program.

The JMR TD supports the Department of Defense's Future Vertical Lift program to deliver the next generation of vertical lift aircraft with greater performance, reliability and affordability.

"We are excited about this opportunity and for our customer. The Sikorsky and Boeing team brings together exceptional technical expertise," said Mick Maurer, president of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. "Our customer can be assured this collaboration will bring together innovative, industry-leading engineering expertise with a deep bench of program leadership talent, and builds upon the combined resources of both companies to deliver a revolutionary capability for the warfighter at an affordable cost for the U.S. taxpayer."

"Our teaming agreement is the continuation of a long-standing relationship between Boeing and Sikorsky and reflects a common vision for the future of Army aviation," said Chris Chadwick, president of Boeing Military Aircraft. "Our combined technical strengths and our collective program management expertise make this partnership an exciting development in meeting the Army's JMR program objectives."

The Sikorsky and Boeing team will compete to build and fly one or more demonstrator aircraft in 2017 to be evaluated for next-generation vertical lift performance in a medium-lift-sized aircraft.

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

A unit of The Boeing Company, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is one of the world's largest defense, space and security businesses specializing in innovative and capabilities-driven customer solutions, and the world's largest and most versatile manufacturer of military aircraft. Headquartered in St. Louis, Boeing Defense, Space & Security is a $32 billion business with 60,000 employees worldwide. Follow us on Twitter: @BoeingDefense.

Forward-Looking Information Is Subject to Risk and Uncertainty

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning opportunities for development, production and sale of helicopters. The opportunities discussed may not lead to actual development or production by the parties due to a number of risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in government procurement priorities and practices, budget plans, availability of funding and in the type and number of aircraft required; decisions to award contracts to competing suppliers; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corporation's and The Boeing Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Contact:

Frans Jurgens
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Office: +1 203-386-6443
Mobile: +1 203-615-8293
frans.jurgens@sikorsky.com

Damien Mills
Boeing Defense, Space & Security
Office: +1 610-591-7005
Mobile: +1 314-600-4696
damien.mills@boeing.com

SOURCE Boeing Defense, Space & Security