One Hundred Twelve Air Force Helos To Be Replaced
Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin will compete jointly for the
contract to replace the U.S. Air Force's fleet of combat search and
rescue helicopters.
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The two companies have signed a teaming agreement formalizing
their intent to offer an advanced version of Sikorsky's UH-60M
Black Hawk helicopter for the Air Force's HH-60 Personnel Recovery
Recapitalization program (HH-60 Recap). The agreement positions
Sikorsky as prime contractor, with Lockheed Martin as the major
subsystems supplier.
The HH-60 Recap program seeks to replace the 112 existing HH-60G
Pave Hawk helicopter fleet with an equal number of new aircraft
requiring minimum airframe modification or mission systems
development. The initial operational capability of eight aircraft
-- four trainers and four mission-ready aircraft, plus test
aircraft -- is expected in fiscal year 2015.
"Our team has the resources and experience to rapidly deliver
the proven UH-60M airframe design with mature situational awareness
sensors and mission systems," said Scott Starrett, president of
Sikorsky Military Systems. "We believe a UH-60M aircraft
missionized for the complexities of the combat search and rescue
mission will fit seamlessly into established Air Force training and
logistics operations, thus providing a fiscally responsible and
reliable platform for rescue operations."
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Sikorsky submitted a response to the U.S. Air Force's HH-60
Recap request for information on April 23. The document details how
the UH-60M helicopter would be manufactured and integrated as a
low-risk, off-the-shelf solution for the combat search and rescue
mission.
Operational with the U.S. Army (including as a medevac
helicopter in the HH-60M configuration), the UH-60M features a
strengthened airframe, wider rotor blades and more powerful engines
than earlier-design BLACK HAWK helicopters. Sikorsky has delivered
200 'M' model helicopters to the U.S. Army since 2005.
Lockheed Martin has provided integrated avionics and mission
systems for other H-60 aircraft, including U.S. Army and U.S. Air
Force special operations helicopters, and Air Force combat rescue
helicopters. Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin also have a well
established working relationship over 38 years, delivering more
than 400 SH-60B and MH-60R/S mission-ready aircraft to the U.S.
Navy.
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"Lockheed Martin has 25 years of experience integrating mission
systems for special operations and combat rescue helicopters," said
Dan Spoor, vice president of Lockheed Martin Aviation Systems. "We
also can bring to the HH-60 Recap program the mature systems and
readiness from our work on the prior CSAR-X competition."
In April, the companies announced a teaming agreement to compete
jointly for the U.S. Navy's revived VXX Presidential Helicopter
program. The companies will share facilities, experience and
engineering talent for both opportunities.