Dunlop Aircraft Tyres have announced it has secured a major deal
with Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) to be the exclusive supplier
of tyres for its new Korean Utility Helicopter (KUH) - Surion.
The aircraft is being developed to replace South Korea's aging
fleet of 500MD and UH-1H aircraft. The Surion made its first flight
early in 2010 and more than 245 are on order.
Its missions will include aerial assault, troops and logistics
transport, search and rescue and command and control. Technology
used in the programme will also be used by KAI to develop a new
commercial helicopter.
"This order builds on our relationship with KAI, a growing
aerospace company that develops a range of rotary and fixed-wing
military and civilian aircraft," said Dunlop Aircraft Tyres'
chairman, Ian Edmondson.
"We have worked with KAI as the exclusive supplier of nose tyres
for its KTI military trainer, more than 100 of which are in
service. It is testament to the quality of our product and service
that we have won another exclusive deal with the manufacturer.
"This agreement with KAI will further strengthen the Dunlop
brand within the Asian aerospace industry, where we have opened a
new tyre distribution and retreading facility to serve the Asia
Pacific region."