Title:

Technology Opportunities in the Rotorcraft Industry

Speaker:

Mr. Chris Van Buiten

Affiliation:

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation

When:

Wednesday, April 24, 2013 at 2:00:00 PM   Add to Calendar

Where:

Guggenheim Building, Room 442

Host:

Margaret Ojala
margaret.ojala@aerospace.gatech.edu

Abstract

Declining budgets and increased profit scrutiny are putting a strain on rotorcraft OEMs. Foreign countries are establishing their own aerospace industries and requiring local participation from these indigenous industries in order for OEMs to win business in these countries. The products under development now, as well as the supply chain to design, build, and service these products, is more complex and global than it ever has been. Managing this complexity is a key challenge in our industry. Sikorsky has a focused technology approach along three pillars – Speed, Autonomy, and Actualization – coupled with an over-arching company strategy that will allow it to succeed and grow in the rotorcraft industry of the future. This presentation will outline these opportunities and provide insight into Sikorsky’s technology strategy.

Biography

Chris Van Buiten is the Vice President of Sikorsky Innovations at Sikorsky Aircraft, where he runs the group responsible for maturing next-generation technologies including X2 technology™, active rotor, and autonomy, as well as defining next-generation products. Mr. Van Buiten joined Sikorsky in 1989 where he has been engaged in the conceptual and preliminary design of Sikorsky products including the S-92® commercial transport, the CH-53K heavy lift helicopter, and the UH-60M BLACK HAWK helicopter, as well as several advanced concepts. He has served as Chief of Preliminary Design and Manager of Advanced Design and has led Sikorsky’s Strategic Planning group. Chris led Sikorsky’s acquisition of the PZL Mielec Aircraft Company in Mielec, Poland . He has also served as a Technical Fellow for Advanced System Design. Mr. Van Buiten was a Glenn L. Martin Aerospace Scholar at the University of Maryland, where he received a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace degree in 1989. He received a Master of Science in System Design and Management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Sloan School of Business in 1999.