The selection of the MH-60R, which will be acquired via the U.S. Government’s Foreign Military Sales program, marks the first-ever procurement of the U.S. Navy’s most advanced anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopter outside the United States.
“The MH-60R Romeo helicopter will fill a critical maritime warfare capability for the Royal Australian Navy,” said Rear Adm. Steven R. Eastburg, Program Executive Officer, Air, ASW, Assault and Special Mission programs. “U.S. naval forces have found the Romeo platform to be an operationally effective and reliable first responder for all missions and contingencies encountered at sea around the world.”
Besides performing its primary mission roles of anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, the multi-role aircraft also can perform search and rescue, troop transport, medical evacuation, ship-to-ship replenishment and humanitarian relief operations.
The U.S. Navy was supported in its winning proposal by Team Romeo, consisting of MH-60R airframe manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft, mission systems integrator Lockheed Martin, engine manufacturer GE, sensor supplier Raytheon Corp., and training supplier CAE.
Australia’s Phase 8 requirement seeks a replacement capability for the Royal Australian Navy’s 16 existing S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters, which entered service in the late 1980s. Team Romeo is expected to complete and deliver the first two MH-60R helicopters for the Royal Australian Navy in 2014.
Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin have delivered 100 mission-ready MH-60R helicopters to the U.S. Navy since 2006. To date, six operational MH-60R squadrons have accumulated almost 100,000 flight hours.
The U.S. Navy is expected to procure a total of 300 MH-60R aircraft by 2017.
Team Romeo is currently delivering MH-60R aircraft to the U.S. Navy at the rate of 25-30 a year. The team has capacity to deliver 18 to 23 additional aircraft annually to Foreign Military Sales customers.
NAVAIR
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| MH-60R |
Australia Selects U.S. Navy’s MH-60R SEAHAWK® Helicopter for AIR 9000 Phase 8 Program
STRATFORD, Connecticut - The U.S. Navy today announced the Commonwealth of Australia has selected the MH-60R SEAHAWK® helicopter to fulfill the Australian Defence Force’s AIR 9000 Phase 8 requirement for a fleet of 24 new-generation, multi-role naval combat aircraft. The Commonwealth will acquire the helicopters with associated training and logistical support via the U.S. Government’s Foreign Military Sales program.“The companies that comprise Team Romeo are honored by the Commonwealth’s choice of the MH-60R Romeo helicopter to protect Australia’s maritime interests,” said Mick Maurer, president of Sikorsky Military Systems. “We look forward to collaborating with the Royal Australian Navy and local industry across Australia as we build and integrate these proven SEAHAWK aircraft.”
Team Romeo principals Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) and Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) have co-developed and delivered maritime helicopters for the U.S. Navy for more than 35 years. They are teamed with engine manufacturer GE Aviation, sonar and sensor provider Raytheon Company, and training and simulator provider CAE for the Phase 8 competition. In addition to delivering Romeo helicopters, the team plans to bring long-term jobs and work opportunities to Australian industry valued at $1.5 billion over 10 years.
“The MH-60R helicopter is a sophisticated sensor platform that has proven its ability to protect the U.S. fleet from submarines, ships and fast attack boats,” said Dan Spoor, Lockheed Martin Aviation Systems vice president. “We are committed to providing the Australian fleet with the same advanced capabilities, as the U.S. Navy continues its investment in the aircraft.”
The Commonwealth of Australia this week signed the Letter of Acceptance, a formal agreement with the U.S. Navy. The Letter of Acceptance marks the first-ever purchase of the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R helicopter outside the United States. The Royal Australian Navy is expected to take delivery of the first two MH-60R helicopters in 2014.
Sikorsky
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