EDO Edo Corp

EDO Corporation (NYSE: EDO) has been selected by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation to design and fabricate composite airframe assemblies for the U.S. Marine Corps CH-53K helicopter program. The contract includes design and development, which is currently underway and will continue through 2012. This development contract is expected to lead to production of 156 CH-53K aircraft to replace the CH-53E SUPER STALLION� helicopters currently in the Marine Corps� inventory. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) The new CH-53K heavy-lift helicopter will double the payload of the current CH-53E Super Stallion, to 27,000 pounds over 110 nautical miles. Advanced composite structures that are far stronger and lighter than metal components are key to achieving this objective. EDO will utilize state-of-the-art engineering tools to design the aircraft�s composite tail-rotor pylon and sponsons. �Our ability to both engineer and fabricate advanced composite structures was a significant factor in winning this strategically important contract,� said James M. Smith, EDO�s chief executive officer. �We have been making substantial investments in the sophisticated equipment needed to produce these high-performance products.� The design and final assembly will be centered in North Amityville, N.Y. The composite fabrication will be conducted�predominantly in�Salt Lake City, Utah�with select resin transfer molded (RTM) parts fabricated in Walpole, Mass. CH-53K Helicopter The CH-53K is a land and sea based, heavy-lift helicopter that the Marine Corps� will use to facilitate sea basing. Sea basing expands military capabilities at sea that are needed to project and sustain operations. The CH-53K design focuses on five main areas: internal and external cargo capability, communications, high reliability, low maintenance, and survivability across the full spectrum of operation conditions. Replacing the current inventory of CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters, the CH-53K is scheduled to achieve its initial operating capability in 2015. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of advanced helicopters for commercial, industrial and military uses. United Technologies Corp., of Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries. EDO Corporation EDO Corporation designs and manufactures a diverse range of products for aerospace and defense, intelligence, and commercial markets. Major product groups include: Professional and Engineering Services, Defense Electronics, Communications, Aircraft Armament Systems, Undersea Warfare, and Integrated Composite Structures. EDO�s advanced systems are at the core of the transformation to lighter, faster, and smarter defense capabilities. With headquarters in New York, EDO Corporation (www.edocorp.com) employs 4,000 people worldwide. The company was founded in 1925 and had revenues of $715 million in 2006.