Lockheed Martin has received a $1.05bn contract from the US Navy for the supply of digital cockpits and integrated mission systems and sensors for the Navy’s Sikorsky-built MH-60R and MH-60S rotary-wing helicopters.
US Naval Air Systems vice commander rear admiral Paul Grosklags said: "US Navy crews operating the 300-plus MH-60 Romeo and Sierra helicopters already in the fleet understand just how critical these aircraft are to protecting our ships from surface and undersea threats."
Commenting on the latest contract, Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems & Sensors business aviation systems vice president Dan Spoor said that the multi-year structure contract allows the firm to provide more than 10% savings annually to the Navy, surpassing Pentagon cost predictions.
Under the five-year contract, the company will deliver 162 cockpits, integrated missions systems and sensors for MH-60R Romeo naval combat helicopters.
The company will also provide 62 digital cockpits for the Navy’s multi-mission Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter.
Lockheed will also deliver common digital cockpit for the MH-60R and MH-60S aircraft to enable the air crew to conduct missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, combat search and rescue, vertical replenishment, and airborne mine countermeasures.
The advanced maritime helicopter, MH-60R Seahawk is designed to serve as a primary anti-submarine warfare anti-surface weapon system from frigates, destroyers, cruisers and aircraft carriers in littoral zones.
The MH-60S helicopter can perform a variety of missions including combat, search and rescue, and airborne mine countermeasures.
Integration of the mission systems and sensors aboard the MH-60R helicopter will be performed at the company’s facility in Owego, New York, US.
Image: An MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter performing humanitarian mission from the Military Sealift Command hospital ship USNS Comfort. Photo: U.S. Army photo by Spc. Eric J. Cullen.
