Award For New Combat Rescue Helicopters Should Come In June

Sikorsky is awaiting final word from the U.S. Air Force about a contract for 112 new Combat Rescue Helicopters for which it will be the prime contractor.

The Air Force announced it would be awarding the contract to the U.S. helicopter manufacturer earlier this month, but the official award is not expected to be made until June. The new aircraft, which will replace the HH-60G Pave Hawk, will be a variant of the UH-60M Black Hawk aircraft. It is currently designated the CRH-60, but its official designation has not yet been determined.

The Connecticut Post reports that the Air Force will shift about $430 million from other priorities in order to award the contract to Sikorsky. Senator Richard Bluemthal (D-CT) said in a statement that "The national security need for new combat rescue helicopters is crystal clear and urgent, but this funding took a hard fight, which we will have to continue in future years. This helicopter saves the lives of downed or stranded war fighters, and there is no excuse for the reluctance or resistance to proceeding as quickly as possible with this program. I am committed to continuing this funding."

The contract for the aircraft is expected to total about $7 billion.

(Image from file)

FMI: www.af.mil