Connecticut Delegation Statement on Sikorsky FLRAA Bid Protest Decision

Today, Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), Congressman John Larson (CT-01), Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02), Congressman Jim Himes (CT-04), and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) released the following statement on the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) report recommending that the government uphold the Army’s decision to reject Sikorsky’s bid on the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA).

“We are deeply disappointed in the Government Accountability Office (GAO) announcement today that it would deny Sikorsky’s bid protest challenging the Army’s recent award on the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA). Sikorsky has the world’s greatest workforce when it comes to vertical lift aircraft and decades of proven results when it comes to supplying the U.S. Armed Forces and militaries across the globe with safe dependable military and commercial birds. We have been working relentlessly to relay this to the Army to no avail, but we will not end our efforts as a result of this misguided decision.

“Since the start, we have said that the public, Members of Congress, and the workers at Sikorsky are entitled to a robust and fair process. Despite numerous attempts beginning in December 2022 to engage directly with the Army, we as Members of Congress have still not been given answers on how the Army came to their decision on FLRAA. We have a responsibility to conduct oversight and ensure the proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars. Our investments must be smart. We need answers as to why and how the Army made this decision.

“Sikorsky makes the best helicopters in the world and is one of the largest employers in Connecticut. We will work to uncover the Army’s process for making this decision and fight to keep jobs here in Connecticut.”