Telephonics Corporation and TTM Technologies, Inc. have filed a complaint, accusing Airbus Helicopters of manipulating legal systems to enforce an unfair contract.
The lawsuit centers around a contentious injunction obtained by Airbus Helicopters from a Swiss court without notifying Telephonics or its parent company, TTM Technologies. This injunction mandates that the plaintiffs produce helicopter radar parts until March 2026 under unfavorable terms. Telephonics claims this move was made while they were trying to negotiate pricing adjustments with Airbus Helicopters as per their contractual agreement. The plaintiffs argue that this injunction is void due to lack of notice and service, fraud in its procurement, and violation of due process.
The origins of this dispute trace back to a 2010 contract between Telephonics and Eurocopter (now Airbus Helicopters) for manufacturing radar systems. Over the years, amendments were made to accommodate price changes; however, negotiations scheduled for 2023 stalled when Airbus allegedly refused to engage in good-faith discussions despite rising production costs that resulted in significant financial losses for Telephonics. Instead of negotiating, Airbus sought an ex parte order from Switzerland, which they now use as leverage against Telephonics.
Telephonics and TTM are seeking declaratory judgments to nullify the Swiss injunction and confirm that TTM has no obligations under the contract since it was never a party to it. They also demand compensation for damages incurred due to breach of good faith and fair dealing by Airbus Helicopters. They are also requesting an injunction preventing further proceedings in Swiss courts related to this matter.
The plaintiffs are represented by attorney Daniel K. Winters of Polsinelli PC. The case was filed in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York under Case No. 1:25-cv-01625.