United Tech Unit Signs Defense Contract

United Technologies Corp. said its Sikorsky Aircraft unit signed a five-year, $745-million contract to build 108 Hawk helicopters for the Department of Defense. Sikorsky will provide 58 UH-60L Black Hawk utility helicopters for the Army, 42 new CH-60 fleet combat support aircraft for the Navy and eight HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search and rescue helicopters for the Air Force, the company said. The contract, which will continue until 2001, contains a provision that would give the U.S. government a $63-million discount on aircraft if it boosts its order to 180 before the end of this year, the company said. Stratford, Conn.-based Sikorsky has delivered more than 2,400 Hawk family helicopters to five branches of the U.S. armed forces and to 22 countries, a spokeswoman said. Shares of Hartford, Conn.-based United Technologies fell $1.81 to close at $84.75 on the New York Stock Exchange.