Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX), and Mitsubishi Corporation have announced a contract with the Japan Coast Guard (JCG) for four S-76D^â„¢ helicopters, which will replace several JCG helicopters that were damaged in the tsunami of 2011.

The Japan Coast Guard has flown various legacy models of the Sikorsky S-76^® helicopter for many years.

“The S-76 helicopter has performed well for the Japan Coast Guard through the years, with the S-76C, S76C+™ and S-76C++™ models each delivering a consistently high standard of reliability and safety that Sikorsky customers have come to expect,” said Christophe Nurit, Sikorsky Vice President of Sales, Asia. “This legacy of dependability and performance has served the Japan Coast Guard well in the demanding maritime and shipboard environments in which it serves, and Sikorsky is proud to bring the latest high-performing S-76 model to its fleet.”

Among the S-76D helicopter’s features are all-composite, flaw-tolerant main rotor blades; an advanced THALES integrated avionics system and autopilot; health and usage monitoring system, active vibration control; powerful Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S engines as standard equipment; and an optional Rotor Ice Protection System (RIPS) for all-weather capability. The new generation S-76D helicopter will perform an array of civil missions including executive transport, offshore oil, emergency medical services, and a multi-mission role.

The S-76D helicopter has marked certification milestones over the past several months including type certifications of the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210S engines by both the Federal Aviation Administration and Transport Canada.  Sikorsky expects to receive European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) validation of the Canadian Type Certificate in the coming months. Additional certifications for cold weather and RIPS performance are expected in 2012.

Delivery of the first helicopters to customers also is slated for later this year.

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