All S-70i sales so far have been commercial, but discussions are under way with the U.S. Army to obtain airworthiness release to also sell the aircraft via the government-to-government FMS system, he says.

In addition to being lighter and cheaper than the UH-60M, the S-70i is built “on spec,” Maurer says, allowing Sikorsky to offer customers a shorter lead time.

The S-70i also gives the company more flexibility to customize the aircraft, and to offer an “industrial footprint” in some countries. Turkey has selected the S-70i, although a contract has yet to be signed, and the country plans to assemble the helicopters in Ankara.