Piasecki Aircraft Corporation (PiAC), a global leader in advanced Vertical Take Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft development, and Columbia Helicopters (CHI), the world’s premier tandem rotor helicopter OEM, MRO, and operator, have announced a strategic collaboration to upgrade heavy-lift helicopters worldwide.
The collaboration aims to upgrade existing Model 107-II helicopters to a new, more fuel-efficient, powerful, and robust Columbia Model CHI-107-III configuration. This partnership targets customers in essential services such as emergency response, aerial firefighting, forestry, infrastructure, and defense. Notably, the military variant of the Model 107-II is the CH-46E Sea Knight (Phrog), which served with the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy, as well as allies in Sweden and Japan.
Modifications and testing will occur at Piasecki’s 219,000-square-foot heliplex facility in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, which was acquired in 2023 from Lockheed Martin Sikorsky after the closure of the S-76 and S-92 helicopter production lines, resulting in the loss of hundreds of jobs. The acquisition of the facility was supported by Pennsylvania Senator Bob Casey, Representative Chrissy Houlahan (PA-6), Governor Josh Shapiro, and the Chester County Economic Development Council to create new jobs leveraging the unique aerospace skills in the region.
“For generations, Pennsylvanians have served their country and supported their families by manufacturing military helicopters at this Coatesville facility. I fought to support Piasecki’s helicopter remanufacturing because nobody is more up to the task of maintaining our Nation’s military aircrafts than the workers here in Southeastern Pennsylvania,” said Senator Casey in a separate announcement. “This is a new chapter for Coatesville and I’ll keep fighting to make sure these jobs are here to stay.”
“Piasecki, with its state-of-the-art manufacturing and robust tech workforce, is a driving force of revitalization in Coatesville,” said Representative Houlahan in a separate announcement. “Now, with the announcement of the production of CH-46 helicopters and additional jobs being created, our region will continue to lead the way in domestic aviation manufacturing. I look forward to seeing Piasecki grow and will continue to do everything I can to support that.”
“The Heliplex will also function as CHI’s new field site, providing more opportunities on the East Coast. The partnership involves the development of comprehensive product support plans for the Columbia Model CHI-107-III – which includes the establishment of an FAA Part 145 Repair Station at the facility.”
“We are thrilled to partner with Columbia Helicopters, a company that shares our heritage with the tandem helicopter, and our commitment to innovation and excellence in the rotorcraft industry,” said John Piasecki, CEO of Piasecki Aircraft. “This collaboration represents a significant step forward in the evolution of tandem rotor helicopters and promises to deliver enhanced capabilities to a wide range of military and civil applications. We look forward to working together to advance the future of this vertical lift technology and generate hundreds of jobs for our communities.”
“The new Columbia Model 107-III will transform the heavy-lift helicopter market, providing unrivaled performance and versatility for our customers,” said David Balevic, CEO of Columbia Helicopters. “We are dedicated to pushing the boundaries of what is possible, and together with our partners at Piasecki, will deliver enhanced heavy-lift aircraft that save lives, protect nations, and build industries for decades to come.”
