AVALON, VIC., Australia – Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Australian aviation searchlight innovator Trakka Corp., to jointly explore manufacturing opportunities in support of H-60 SEAHAWK and BLACK HAWK helicopters.

“The MOU marks another step in our commitment to find the most skilled and competitive manufacturing firms within the Commonwealth of Australia,” said Al Altieri, Sikorsky vice president of supply chain management. The MOU could lead to Sikorsky sourcing Trakka searchlight products as part of our global supply chain for Sikorsky SEAHAWK and BLACK HAWK helicopters worldwide.”

The MOU was signed during the Avalon 2011 Australian International Airshow.

“We couldn’t be more pleased to have signed the MOU with Sikorsky,” said Peter Rudaizky, managing director of Trakka Corp. “Having already successfully supplied our Trakkabeam products to a number of existing Sikorsky platforms that are operating for the U.S. Government in areas like Customs and Border Protection, we can now explore ways to work together with Sikorsky on a number of exciting programs. With our new service facility now up and running in the U.S., we look forward to a long and productive relationship with one of the best-known helicopter manufacturing companies in the world.”

Trakka aviation searchlights are integrated into a highly efficient pan and tilt gymbal allowing slewing up to 60 degrees per second. Internal filtering allows the searchlight to choose the appropriate light spectrum for the mission. Precision optical elements and a low power light source deliver a more intense and efficient on-target beam than those used in conventional reflector-type searchlights.

Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Trakka Corp., develops and manufactures aviation searchlight products in its AS9100 certified facility. The company also has operations in Scottsdale, Arizona to support its U.S. customers, including U.S. Customs and Border Patrol and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Connecticut, USA, and with facilities in Brisbane, Queensland, is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacturing and service. United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Connecticut, USA, provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.