United Rotorcraft looks forward to receiving S-70 Black Hawk Helicopters from PZL Mielec

Avatar photo by

KIELCE, Poland – September 7, 2021 – United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, is
excited to grow its partnership with PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company, which manufactures the
S70™ Black Hawk® helicopter. When equipped by United Rotorcraft with a water tank system, custom
cabin interior, and cockpit controls, the resulting FIREHAWK® aircraft has become a symbol of aerial
firefighting excellence in the United States.

“United Rotorcraft has the highest confidence in the workforce at PZL Mielec to produce and deliver the
high performance S-70 helicopter,” said United Rotorcraft President Larry Alexandre. “As the only
FIREHAWK completion center approved by Sikorsky, United Rotorcraft can confirm that firefighters in
California are delighted with the craftsmanship of their S-70 aircraft and the ability to safely and
efficiently attack wildfires.”

On 26 August, United Rotorcraft announced a contract award to Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company,
for five S-70 Black Hawk aircraft. PZL Mielec will deliver all five aircraft to United Rotorcraft from early
2022 to mid-2023. United Rotorcraft anticipates all five will become FIREHAWK aircraft. To date, the
company has a confirmed order to modify one of the five aircraft for aerial firefighting — to the State of
Colorado.

Alexandre said there is significant interest by government agencies in the Western United States and
internationally for the FIREHAWK capability. “In anticipation of future orders, and knowing there is an
urgent need to deliver this capability quickly, United Rotorcraft is taking the unusual step of contracting
with Sikorsky for five S-70 aircraft when only one aircraft has been ordered,” he said.

Since 2019, United Rotorcraft has modified and delivered 10 Polish-built S-70 aircraft to California
firefighters. Two of these FIREHAWK aircraft are serving with the Los Angeles County Fire Department,
seven with the State of California (CAL FIRE), and one with the City of San Diego Fire-Rescue
department. Four more S-70 aircraft from Poland are in various stages of FIREHAWK modification at the
United Rotorcraft facility near Denver, Colorado. The twelfth and final aircraft ordered by CAL FIRE is on
the PZL Mielec Black Hawk production line.

“The employees at PZL Mielec take great satisfaction in knowing that their efforts to build S-70 aircraft
for wildland firefighting are saving lives, and protecting property and forestry,” said Janusz Zakręcki, PZL
Mielec president and general director. “The military pedigree of the Black Hawk platform is ideal for the
task of aggressively attacking wildfires. We thank United Rotorcraft and Sikorsky for their collaborative
work with California fire departments to produce yet another outstanding mission capability for the
multi-role Black Hawk helicopter.”

PRESS RELEASE
7301 South Peoria | Englewood, CO 80112 | 303.792.7400
United Rotorcraft adds a 3,785-liter (1,000-gallon) external water tank to the belly of the S-70 aircraft,
extended landing gear to accommodate the tank, and a retractable snorkel that can refill the tank in
less than one minute. Other modifications can include a rescue hoist, seating to transport up to 12 fully
equipped ground firefighters, and medical equipment.

United Rotorcraft EMEA Sales Manager Alexandra Slabutu will attend MSPO 2021. She can be contacted
at .

About United Rotorcraft
United Rotorcraft, a division of Air Methods Corporation, (www.unitedrotorcraft.com) specializes in the
design, manufacture and installation of ground and aerial mission critical equipment for front line
workers, from firefighting and law enforcement, to HEMS and Medevac.
MEDIA CONTACT: For more information about the FIREHAWK® aircraft and/or United Rotorcraft, please
contact , or Ramy Nasralla at .