Program For Purchase Of 102 Aircraft Across Both Services

The Department of Defense has awarded a contract worth nearly $772 million to Sikorsky for the purchase of 65 helicopters for the U.S. Army. At the same time, a contract worth $535 million was awarded to continue the manufacture of 37 aircraft for the U.S. Navy.

According to the DoD contract's website, Sikorsky will build 41 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and 24 HH-60M medical evacuation helicopters for the Army. The company will also continue to fulfil a contract for eight MH-60 and 29 HM-60R aircraft for the Navy.

The CTMirror newspaper online reports that the continuation of the Army contract was contingent on the Navy continuing its purchase. Had the Navy pulled out of the deal, the Army's plans for aircraft purchase would have been cancelled. The paper reports that one reason the contracts went forward was a $250 million termination fee that would have been paid by the taxpayers.

In a statement, U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, said “I have worked closely with the Navy to ensure their recognition of the urgent, life-saving need for these helicopters, even in the face of challenging financial times, and will continue to do so in the coming fiscal year.”

(Image from file)

FMI: www.sikorsky.com, DoD Contracts