Sikorsky closes US helicopter factory

The Sikorsky manufacturing facility in Coatesville, Pennsylvania, US, will be closed in March 2022 following a failed campaign by US politician and US Air Force veteran Chrissy Houlahan’s two-year campaign to prevent the factory shuttering.

The decision to close the factory was made in June 2019 due to declining demand in the helicopter market but was delayed following intervention from then-US President Donald Trump. Sikorsky CEO Marillyn Hewson said at the time: “At the request of President Trump, I took another look at our decision and have decided to keep it open while we pursue additional work.”

However, a statement from Lockheed Martin noted that the company ‘has made a final decision to exit its Coatesville facility and consolidate the work in other Lockheed Martin locations due to a downturn in the commercial helicopter sector’.

Factory closure ensured due to lack of national security risk

Houlahan reached out to Lockheed Martin to pursue further opportunities for helicopter demand and explored whether its closure would result in any national security risks. However, with none identified, the closure was confirmed with some 240 of 360 employees to lose their jobs.

Houlahan commented: “This is not the outcome we wanted but now my priority over the next seven months is helping these highly-skilled workers find new jobs in our community and finding a productive use for the facility that contributes to the tax base and the vibrancy of Coatesville.”

Sikorsky was recently awarded a US Navy contract for the construction of nine CH-53K King Stallion helicopters.