Sabreliner Corp., a name long synonymous with the business jet market, has turned to designing and installing custom interiors in government VIP helicopters.

Sabreliner (Booth No. 2600) has won a contract to upgrade navigation systems and install custom interiors in four U.S. Army Sikorsky VH-60 VIP transport helicopters used in the metropolitan Washington, D.C. area. The work is being performed under subcontract from Arinc Engineering Services.

Under the contract, Sabreliner installed flight management systems in the four VH-60s and an additional UH-60 Black Hawk. “We hope to support other of the UH-60 Black Hawk operators through our relationship with Arinc and other contractors,” said Tracy Ogle, rotary-wing program manager.

Late last year Sabreliner began manufacturing more than 150 parts for Keystone Helicopter, a Sikorsky subsidiary. Sabreliner is providing subassemblies, assemblies and other components for four Sikorsky lines– the CH-53 Sea Stallion, S-92, S-76 and UH-60 Black Hawk family, including frames, weld assemblies, tubing and a variety of other machined and sheet metal parts.

Sabreliner’s rotorcraft involvement is not new. It has experience with helicopter engines since 1989 when it won a U.S. Army contract to rebuild 400 T53-L-13B engines that power the UH-1 Huey. Sabreliner continues to perform T53 overhaul and maintenance for several other customers. Additionally, it overhauls JT12/JFTD12 engines and free turbines used to power the Sikorsky SkyCrane heavy lift helicopter.

Sabreliner’s operation is a Honeywell authorized warranty and repair station for fuel accessories on an array of rotary-wing aircraft engines, including the Pratt & Whitney PT6, Honeywell Lycoming LTS101 and Rolls-Royce A250 series.