The New Zealand Ministry of Defence (MoD) accepted the first SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite helicopter for the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), Kaman said on Monday.
The MoD accepted the helicopter at the company’s Bloomfield, Conn., facility.
Photo: Kaman Aerospace
Kaman and the MoD inked a $120 million contract in May 2013 for the purchase of 10 Kaman SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite aircraft, spare parts, a full mission flight simulator, and related logistics support (Defense Daily, April 23, 2013).
The next several helicopters are due to be accepted by New Zealand in the next few weeks. The first three aircraft are planned to arrive in New Zealand in early 2015. The remaining helicopter and equipment deliveries are expected by the end of 2015, the company said in a statement.
“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 [among] Kaman, the MoD, and the NZDF,” Greg Steiner, President of Kaman Aerospace Group, said in a statement.