Showing results 1 - 10 of 38 for the search terms: mh-60s.
Results for "mh-60s"
V-22 Osprey: The Multi-Year Program
03-Nov-2009 16:36 EST |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Boeing, Contracts - Modifications, Engines - Aircraft, Europe - E.U., GE, Helicopters & Rotary, Issues - Political, New Systems Tech, Other Corporation, Policy - Procurement, Rolls Royce, Spotlight articles
(click to view full)
In March 2008, the Bell Boeing Joint Project Office in Amarillo, TX received a $10.4 billion modification that converted the previous advance acquisition contract (N00019-07-C-0001) to a fixed-price-incentive-fee, multi-year contract. The new contract now sits at $10.8 billion, and will be used to buy 141 MV-22 (for USMC) and 31 CV-22 (Air Force Special Operations) Osprey aircraft, plus associated manufacturing tooling to move the aircraft into full production.
The V-22 tilt-rotor program has been beset by controversy throughout its 20-year development period. DID’s “V-22 Osprey: A Flying Shame?” offers a focused look at a number of specific allegations associated with the program, with material from Pentagon test reports, critical reviews, ongoing news reports, and the US military’s responses. Despite these issues, and the emergence of competitive but more conventional compound helicopter technologies like Piasecki’s X-49 Speedhawk and Sikorsky’s X2, the V-22 program continues to move forward. This DID Spotlight article looks at the V-22’s new multi-year purchase contract, associated contracts for key V-22 systems, and program developments that arise after the contract conversion.
The latest developments involve a slew of minor contracts, and a very negative GAO report on the program. Which does nothing to change the program…
The USA’s New Littoral Combat Ships (updated)
26-Oct-2009 11:36 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, BAE, Boeing, Budgets, Coastal & Littoral, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Design Innovations, EADS, Eng. Control Systems, Expeditionary Warfare, FOCUS Articles, Force Structure, Forces - Naval, General Dynamics, IT - Software & Integration, Interoperability, Issues - Political, L3 Communications, Lobbying, Lockheed Martin, Materials Innovations, New Systems Tech, Northrop-Grumman, Other Corporation, Partnerships & Consortia, Policy - Doctrine, Power Projection, Procurement Innovations, Project Methodologies, Protective Systems - Naval, R&D - Contracted, Raytheon, Rolls Royce, Sensors - Aquatic, Surface Ships - Combat, Testing & Evaluation, Training & Exercises, Transformation, UUVs & USVs, Warfare - Trends
General Dynamics Team
Trimaran LCS Design
(click to enlarge)
Exploit simplicity, numbers, the pace of technology development in electronics and robotics, and fast reconfiguration. That was the US Navy’s idea for the low-end backbone of its future surface combatant fleet. Inspired by successful experiments like Denmark’s Standard Flex ships, the US Navy’s $30+ billion “Littoral Combat Ship” program was intended to create a new generation of affordable surface combatants that could operate in dangerous shallow and near-shore environments, while remaining affordable and capable throughout their lifetimes.
It hasn’t worked that way. In practice, what the Navy wanted, the capabilities needed to perform primary naval missions, and what could be delivered for the sums available, have proven nearly irreconcilable. The LCS program has changed its fundamental acquisition plan several times since 2005, and canceled contracts with both competing teams, without escaping any of its fundamental issues.
The latest additions include completion of LCS-2 builder tests, and plans to deploy LCS-1 ahead of schedule…
MH-60R/S: The USA’s New Naval Workhorse Helicopters
06-Oct-2009 12:40 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Avionics, Budgets, Coastal & Littoral, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, FOCUS Articles, Force Structure, Helicopters & Rotary, IT - Software & Integration, Lockheed Martin, New Systems Tech, Other Corporation, Raytheon, Sensors & Guidance, United Technologies
USN Heli Plan
(click to view full)
The US Army’s UH-60 Black Hawks have always had a naval counterpart. SH-60B/F Seahawk/ LAMPS helicopters were outfitted with maritime radar, sonobuoys, and other specialized equipment that let them perform a wide variety of roles, from supply and transport, to anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and even surface attack with their Penguin missiles. Like their land-based counterparts, however, the Seahawks are getting older. The Reagan defense build-up is receding into history, and its products are wearing out.
European countries chose to build new designs like the medium-heavy EH101 and the smaller NH90: larger helicopters built with corrosion-proof composites, and new features like rear ramps. The USA, in contrast, decided to upgrade existing H-60 designs for the Army and Navy. Hence the MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter (aka. “Romeo”) and MH-60S (aka. “Sierra”) Seahawks. MH-60Rs and MH-60Ss will eventually replace all SH-60B/F & HH-60H Seahawks, HH-1N Hueys, UH-3H Sea Kings, and CH-46D Sea Knight helicopters currently in the US Navy’s inventory.
Both programs are underway, and will be covered in this DID FOCUS Article. The latest additions include a number of minor contracts for associated equipment, and reports of growing export interest in the MH-60R…
Sikorsky’s $7.4-11.6B “Multi-Year VII” H-60 Helicopter Contract
20-Sep-2009 13:32 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Contracts - Awards, Helicopters & Rotary, Middle East - Other, Other Corporation, Spotlight articles, United Technologies
UH-60M: torch passed
(click to view full)
Back in April 2005, “UH-60M Black Hawk Replacements Get Fast Track” noted that “A full-rate production decision to authorize more than 1,200 UH-60M aircraft is scheduled for 2007.” They made it.
On Dec 12/07, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. signed a 5-year, multi-service contract in Huntsville, AL for a minimum of 537 helicopters to be delivered to the U.S. Army and Navy. The “Multi-Year VII” contract covers UH-60M Black Hawk troop transport and light cargo helicopters, and HH-60M SAR / MEDEVAC helicopters. These 2 platforms will replace the Army’s current UH-60 Black Hawk fleet, while the US Navy’s MH-60S and MH-60R Seahawk aircraft will replace the Navy’s existing SH-60B/F Seahawks, HH-60 CSAR, UH-3H Sea Kings, CH-46D Sea Knights, and HH-1N Huey SAR helicopters.
Now, substantial orders are being placed – and DID has updated total order breakdowns. The latest additions involve a production ramp-up in Poland, 4 UH-60Ms for US border patrol, 3 extra H-60Ms with engineering changes, and 2 MH-60S…
- Structure & Totals [updated]
- Contracts & Key Events: Dec 2007 – Present [updated]
Continue reading…
Raytheon’s New AQS-20 Mine Detection Sonar
07-Sep-2009 09:05 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Coastal & Littoral, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Helicopters & Rotary, New Systems Tech, Raytheon, Sensors - Aquatic, Spotlight articles, Support & Maintenance, Surface Ships - Combat, Transformation, UUVs & USVs
MH-60S w. AQS-20
(click to view full)
In 2005, “Lockheed Receives $76.6M for MH-60S’ New Airborne Anti-Mine Systems” covered several recent advances in US mine detection technologies, including a new AQS-20A mine detecting sonar array, and airborne laser systems mounted to MH-60S helicopters. All of this is in the service of the USA’s new naval emphasis on littoral warfare and accompanying doctrinal changes. So, what’s the AN/AQS-20? And how is it also related to a new US ship class, not to mention a new undersea robot?
The latest news involves its official delivery to the US Navy, in conjunction with its companion AMNS mine neutralizing system…
- The AN/AQS-20, AMCM, and Future Fleet Capabilities
- AQS-20 Contracts & Key Events [updated]
Continue reading…
UAE Requests Hellfires, and More
10-Aug-2009 17:48 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Boeing, Contracts - Awards, Lockheed Martin, Middle East - Other, Missiles - Anti-Armor, Partnerships & Consortia
AH-64D Longbow, armed
(click to view full)
“UAE’s 30-Helicopter Apache Upgrade Program Underway” described the UAE/Dubai’s efforts to upgrade its attack helicopter fleet, while “UAE Ordering Weaponized UH-60M ‘Battlehawk’ Helicopters” looked at their efforts to add firepower punch to their support helicopters. Both sets of helicopters will need weapons, and one of the common weapons will be the AGM-114 Hellfire family of missiles, which have been requested as part of each helicopter package as well as separate DSCA requests.
US Defense Security Cooperation Agency requests can take a notoriously long time to turn into orders, but this article covers a pair of dedicated DSCA requests made over the last 2 years, including the latest $500+ million request with an interesting addendum…
Continue reading…
Thailand’s Hawk Family Helicopters
10-Aug-2009 13:30 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Asia - Other, Contracts - Awards, GE, Helicopters & Rotary, Other Corporation, Support & Maintenance, Support Functions - Other, United Technologies
US UH-60s during
COBRA GOLD 1997
(click to view full)
Thailand’s extensive territories, unrest on its borders, and placement in a zone prone to natural disasters all make helicopters a critical aspect of its military capabilities. Vietnam-era UH-1 Hueys and similar Bell 212/412s form the bulk of its force, but Thailand also has a handful of H-60 family helicopters in service. Its small aircraft carrier HTMS Chakri Naruebet [CV911] carries a contingent of 6 S-70B (SH-60B) Seahawk surveillance and utility helicopters, and the Army reportedly has 7 S-70A-43 (UH-60L) Black Hawks in service. Another 2 MH-60S multi-role naval helicopters are due to arrive soon.
Thailand’s central difficulty is its need to replace the flood of helicopters it received during and after the Vietnam War, many of which were provided as aid, with newer machines bought via its limited defense budget and much smaller aid grants. Sikorsky’s H-60 family is being bought in a variety of roles, but slowly and in limited numbers…
Continue reading…
CSAR-X… “Canceled for Convenience”
03-Jun-2009 14:32 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Boeing, Finmeccanica, Helicopters & Rotary, Lobbying, Lockheed Martin, Official Reports, Policy - Procurement, United Technologies
HH-47 Concept
(click to view full)
Several DID articles have covered the $10-15 billion CSAR-X competition aimed at replacing the USAF’s HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search-and-rescue helicopters, and noted its twists and turns. From profiles of the original options, to transfers of program responsibility between AFSOC and the USAF and the withdrawal of the PRV-22 Osprey from competition, to Sikorsky’s decision to offer the H-92 Superhawk, to our FOCUS Article covering the Boeing HH-47 Chinook’s contract win in November 2006, the CSAR-X/PRV program has been eventful.
February 26, 2007 added one more big event: the US Government Accountability Office, a non-partisan agency of Congress, upheld Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin’s protests over Boeing’s win. Would the GAO ruling be interpreted narrowly, triggering a double-checking exercise, or more broadly, triggering a renewed evaluation process? Worse, could the GAO’s follow-up defining the award’s problem areas create so many issues that further protests from whomever loses bring the program to a halt? The USAF released its RFP v2.0, but Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin filed renewed protests even before the new RFP’s due date. The USAF kept trying to push forward with an accelerated process, but barriers have mounted as it has lost – repeatedly. Meanwhile, the Pave Hawks aren’t getting any younger, or more capable.
DID looks at the 3 competing helicopters’ key advantages and disadvantages, and chronicles the events surrounding the GAO protest and subsequent developments. After their second loss before the GAO, the USAF has now decided to re-compete the contract – in full, with RFP Amendment 5. Which came out at about the same time as a report alleging that CSAR-X’s criteria were changed to allow Boeing’s HH-47 to compete. Meanwhile, almost $100 million is required to update the old HH-60 helicopters, as a result of all the delays.
The latest item is formal cancellation of the CSAR-X contract, per SecDef Gates’ FY 2010 budget recommendations…
GE Wins Multi-Year Extension for T700 Engine Family
16-Apr-2009 20:36 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Engines - Aircraft, GE, Helicopters & Rotary
T700 engine
(click to view full)
GE’s T700 family powers a number of helicopters, from Army UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache helicopters to the USAF’s HH-60 Pave Hawks, naval SH/MH-60 Seahawks, and even the US Marines’ H-1 Hueys and AH-1 Cobras.
In 2004, the US military placed a multi-year production contract to cover engines and spares for its H-60 family helicopters, covering up to 1,200 engines. That contract has now been extended to cover up to 4,900 T700-401C (Coast Guard HH-60J, Navy SH-60/MH-60 Seahawks), T700-701D (UH-60A/L/ early-build M), and T700-701E (new UH-60M) engines for the US Army and Navy through 2014. Each helicopter requires 2 engines…
Continue reading…
US Navy on the T-AKE As It Beefs Up Supply Ship Capacity
22-Mar-2009 12:39 EDT |
Related Stories: Americas - USA, Contracts - Awards, Contracts - Modifications, Design Innovations, Force Structure, Forces - Naval, General Dynamics, Issues - Environmental, Logistics, Logistics Innovations, New Systems Tech, Power Projection, Surface Ships - Other
USNS Sacagawea
(click to view full)
The entire T-AKE dry cargo/ ammunition ship program could have a total value of as much as $6.2 billion, and a size of 14 ships, as the US looks to modernize its supply fleet. The House Armed Services Committee put together an FY 2008 budget that added $456 million for another T-AKE ship – though this figure would not cover all of the internal systems etc. that must be added to make it operational. The FY 2009 budget added 2 more, bringing the total number of contracted ships to 12.
How do T-AKE ships fit into US naval operations? What ships do they replace? What’s the tie-in to US civilian industrial capacity? How were environmental standards built into their design? And what contracts have been issued for T-AKE ships to date? DID has answers in this FOCUS Article. Recent updates include a day in the life aboard T-AKE 5, and milestones for 3 ships of class…
