SABRELINER EARNS NEW CONTRACT

ST. LOUIS Sabreliner Corp. has won a one-year $4.6-million contract to repair and modify fuel controls used on T-53 engines that power the Army's big UH-1 "Huey" helicopters.

The contract provides for potential second- and third-year orders that could make the total value of the contract worth more than $30 million.

The work will be performed at Sabreliner's Independence, Kan., engine-accessory-overhaul facility, with contract management and parts support from its St. Louis headquarters. Sabreliner's Neosho, Mo., engine center will provide operational management and support.

The contract was awarded by the Army Aviation Troop Command (ATCOM) in St. Louis. It is the first major military contract Sabreliner has obtained since acquiring the Neosho and Independence operations from Teledyne Industries in September.

It is not the first military contract for the firm, which is currently under contract with ATCOM to rebuild and test more than 400 T-53 engines. The firm is also providing initial training and modifications for 17 T-39 aircraft for use by the Navy.

During the past two years Sabreliner has won eight competitive government contracts totaling $400 million and including options. That includes major contracts with the Army, Navy and Air Force.

Much of the work was done or is being done at the Perryville maintenance and major modifications center, which employs about 250 people.

"Placing this contract with Sabreliner is significant for the Army because of our tradition in providing reliable, cost-effective service for modification and overhauls that extend the lives of aircraft and engines," said F. Holmes Lamboreux, chairman and chief executive officer of the company.

Sabreliner is a diversified-service, modification and manufacturing firm that supports a variety of commercial, government and military aircraft engines, systems and components.

In performing the rebuilding and testing on the T-53 engines at Perryville, Sabreliner proposed and is maintaining accelerated delivery of the rebuilt engines.

The Perryville center recently earned the U.S. Small Business Administration's Administrator's Award for Excellence for its "Can Do and Cooperative Attitude," which saved the Army approximately $2 million on the contract.

The Army contracts, which started in May 1991, delivered 100 T-53 engines the first year. The contracts call for repairing, rebuilding and testing up to 400 engines.