Eurocopter seeking U.S. partners

PARIS - Eurocopter is looking for American partners on a proposed European heavy-lift helicopter and its bid for the U.S. Army's Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter, according to CEO Lutz Bertling. The helicopter maker, an EADS subsidiary, is in early talks with Boeing and Sikorsky, a United Technologies company, as potential partners for a Future Transport Helicopter. (Source: Defense News, 01/20/09) Gulf Coast note: Eurocopter operates American Eurocopter manufacturing facility in Columbus, Miss.; Sikorsky has operations in Northwest Florida; Boeing is the rival of Eurocopter’s parent, EADS, in the bid for the U.S. Air Force aerial refueling tanker project.