Bloomfield, Conn.-based Kaman Corporation (KAMN) looks likely to land a sizable contract with the New Zealand Ministry of Defense, the company announced late Thursday.
According to Kaman, the NZ MoD has been authorized to sign a contract to purchase 10 of the company's SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare helicopters, plus "spare parts, a full mission flight simulator, and related logistics support," for a total purchase price of $120 million. Pen's not been set to paper just yet, but Kaman expects to execute a sales contract for the whirlybirds sometime within "the next few weeks." Deliveries would begin later this year, and be spaced out over the course of the next three years.
In a press release, Kaman advised that the NZ MoD has been flying Super Seasprites since 2001. The company says its helicopter "has the highest power-to-weight ratio of any maritime helicopter," and "is the largest, most powerful small ship helicopter in use today." In addition to the Kiwis, Super Seasprites are in use in the Polish Navy and Egyptian Air Force.
Kaman shares dropped 2.2% in Thursday trading, closing at $32.54, ahead of the New Zealand sales announcement.
