Sikorsky’s $7.4-11.6B “Multi-Year VII” H-60 Helicopter Contract

Qatar to become next MH-60R customer?; CVLSP delayed; Existing Pave Hawk rescue helicopters hit 10k flight hours. (Sept 22/11)

In 2005 a full-rate production decision to authorize more than 1,200 UH-60M aircraft was scheduled for 2007, and indeed, 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 (Search And Rescue) / MEDEVAC (MEDical EVACuation) 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 (Combat Search and Rescue), UH-3H Sea Kings, CH-46D Sea Knights, and HH-1N Huey SAR helicopters. These new helicopter types are also available to Foreign Military Sales class customers, under the American contract’s advantageous pricing and terms.

Now, substantial orders are being placed – and DID has updated totals and breakdowns:

• Structure & Totals
• Contracts & Key Events: Dec 2007 – Present [updated]
• Additional Readings

Structure and Totals

This is a price framework agreement rather than a firm schedule; actual production quantities will be determined year-by-year over the life of the program, based on funding allocations set by Congress and the Pentagon. According to FY 2011 budget documents, however, the USA’s oldest UH-60As are now over 30 years old, and the average age of the UH-60A fleet is 23 years.

Under the terms of the contract, Sikorsky will provide helicopters, technical publications, and updates, while its field service representatives provide technical guidance and on-site training to Army and Navy maintenance personnel. The deliveries are scheduled to be made from 2007 – 2012, and options for an additional 263 aircraft, spares, and kits could push the total contract value from $7.4 billion to $11.6 billion, and the total number of helicopters to 800 – vid. Sikorsky release. A 2012-2016 follow-on multi-year contract is expected to follow MYP-VII, and FY 2011 Pentagon budget documents were already discussing it.

UH-60Ms have an 18 month lead time, while the more advanced HH-60M has a 24 month lead time from order to delivery. Minimum production rate to sustain the H-60 line is 18 helicopters per year, while the maximum is listed in FY 2011 US Army budget documents as 150 per year.

Tracking of total helicopters ordered to date under the MY-VII contract uses 2 figures. The DID figure counts all orders announced via the Pentagon’s DefenseLINK. The other covers total contract requirements under MYP-VII according to Sikorsky.

Type	Announced to Date	Sikorsky re: Total	Comments
UH-60M new Black Hawk	234	241	Sikorsky = new + conversion
UH-60M, conversions	26	-
UH-60M, exports	79	35	Bahrain (9), Mexico (9), Jordan (2 VIP), Sweden (15), Taiwan (4), UAE (40).
HH-60M SAR/MEDEVAC	71	98
HH-60M exports	0	0	Sweden’s were for CSAR/MEDEVAC, but weren’t HH-60Ms.
MH-60S Seahawk naval utility	78	92
MH-60S, exports	2	2	Thailand (2)
MH-60R Seahawk multi-misison	106	131
MH-60R exports	24	0	Australia (24)
TL	504	599	562 TL without exports

Contracts & Key Events

Unless otherwise specified, all contracts are issued by the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command at Redstone Arsenal, AL, to United Technologies subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT. Note that contracts to buy a certain number of helicopters usually don’t represent ready-to-fly machines, just the cost of producing the base airframe and of adding all the components that are bought separately by the government.

Oct 11/11: Sikorsky in Stratford, CT receives a $12.5 million firm-fixed-price contract to buy spares and ground support equipment for Sweden’s 15 UH-60M CSAR helicopters. Read “Sweden Ordering H-60M Helicopters for Afghan CSAR/MEDEVAC” for full coverage.

Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Oct 31/12. One bid was solicited, with one bid received by the U.S. Army Contracting Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL, who manages the contracts on behalf of their Swedish Foreign Military Sale client (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Oct 11/11: Sikorsky in Stratford, CT receives a $38.3 million firm-fixed-price contract modification, as a follow-on to its Dec 29/09 contract to buy 14 UH-60Ms. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/12. One bid was solicited, with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, AL manages this contract (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Sept 22/11: The US DSCA announces [PDF] Qatar’s official request to buy up to 6 MH-60R Seahawk naval warfare helicopters, 13 T-700 GE 401C Engines (12 installed and 1 spare), plus communication equipment, support equipment, spare and repair parts, tools and test equipment, technical data and publications, personnel training and training equipment, and other U.S. government and contractor support. The estimated cost is up to $750 million.

The MH-60R helicopters will supplement and eventually replace the Qatar Air Force’s aging Westland Sea King maritime patrol helicopters, whose main concern is currently Iran’s Russian-built Kilo Class diesel-electric attack submarines.

The prime contractors will be Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in Stratford, CT (helicopter), Lockheed Martin in Owego, NY (mission systems) and General Electric in Lynn, MA (engines). If the notice turns into a contract, require the assignment of 10 contractor representatives to Qatar on an intermittent basis over the life of the case, to support delivery of the MH-60R helicopters and provide support and equipment familiarization.

Sept 23/11: The USAF is delaying the Common Vertical Lift Support Platform (CVLSP) competition to replace their existing UH-1 Huey fleet, due to uncertainty concerning long-term military budgets. FBO.gov, see also April 25/11 entry.

Sept 14/11: Sikorsky – “Nearly 30 years after entering service with the U.S. Air Force, two HH-60G PAVE HAWK helicopters have both achieved 10,000 flight hours.” Airframes have limited safe life spans, and that’s a lot of flight hours for a helicopter. See also Aug 9/11 entry.

Aug 29/11: A $265.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for 23 helicopters: 22 UH-60Ms and 1 HH-60M. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of March 31/13. One bid was solicited, with one bid received (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Aug 9/11: The USAF issues an “HH-60 Recapitalization Program (HH-60 Recap)” Sources Solicitation, regarding replacement of the HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search & rescue helicopters:

“It is anticipated the USAF will replace an estimated 112 HH-60G aircraft. Contract award is anticipated to be in FY13. The USAF requires an Initial Operating Capability (IOC) consisting of eight (8) aircraft with training systems and support in place (initial spares, support equipment, technical data) in FY18 or sooner with a medium risk schedule. The USAF anticipates the HH-60 Recap aircraft will be an existing production helicopter with modifications using existing mature technology with only limited integration of existing subsystems as required…. This is NOT an Invitation for Bid (IFB) or a Request for Proposal (RFP). The Government does not intend to award a contract on the basis of this SSS/CRFI. This SSS/CRFI is part of ongoing Government conducted market research for planning purposes.”

Aug 5/11: A $22.7 million firm-fixed-price contract to buy 2 UH-60Ms for the US Air Force, who still has the CVLSP competition running to replace its UH-1 Hueys. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Feb 28/13. One bid was solicited, with one bid received (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

July 13/11: The US DSCA announces Thailand’s official request for 3 UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters, and associated equipment.

July 07/11: Sikorsky announces the delivery of the 300th UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter to the U.S. Army. Deliveries began in 2006. Overall, Sikorsky expects to deliver more than 950 UH-60Ms to the U.S. Army by 2025, and more than 400 HH-60M MEDEVAC helicopters. The UH-60M Modernization program is adding a fly-by-wire flight control system and FADEC-equipped GE-701 engine.

Sikorsky says that all variants of UH-60 helicopters flown by the U.S. Army have accumulated more than 1 million fleet flight hours without a single Class A material failure, with an 85% combined operational sortie rate in Iraq and Afghanistan. That compares to just 69% for the new V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor, for instance.

June 30/11: A $48.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for 4 “green” (basic) Black Hawk helicopters and government-furnished equipment to contractor-furnished equipment in support of Foreign Military Sales to Taiwan. Work will be performed in Startford, CT, with an estimated completion date of May 30/13. One bid was solicited, with one bid received (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

A series of queries that ended up with the US Army have confirmed that these are UH-60Ms, and are just the basic airframes plus installation. That still leaves key items like engines (which will be installed, but are bought separately), defensive systems, training, and spares to be handled by other contracts, and leaves the prospect of modifications by the receiving country for that country to address. This is also the pattern used by Sweden’s recent CSAR/MEDEVAC buy. Note that there is a larger Taiwanese UH-60M request outstanding (vid. Jan 29/10 entry).

June 24/11: The US DSCA announces [PDF] the United Arab Emirates’ formal request to buy 5 UH-60M Black Hawk VIP helicopters. The move will bring the UAE’s UH-60M fleet to 45 helicopters, which breaks down as at least 17 standard transports, up to 23 modified and armed AH-60M Battlehawks, and 5 VIP helicopters. It will also keep pace with Jordan’s monarchy, which recently bought a pair of UH-60M VIP machines. With nearby Bahrain as a UH-60M customer, and Saudi Arabia submitting a major buy request for the type, the UH-60M is quickly becoming the Gulf Cooperation Council’s referenceable standard.

The estimated cost is $217 million, but actual costs will depend on negotiated contracts. Read “UH-60M VIP Helicopters for the UAE” for full coverage.

June 16/11: MH-60R for RAN. The MH-60R beats the NH90-NFH for Australia’s 24-helicopter, A$3+ billion (over $3.16 billion) AIR 9000, Phase 8 helicopter competition, even though Australia had switched from H-60/S-70 Army helicopters to the NH90-TTH several years ago. A combination of problems with its “MRH-90s,” slow NH90 TTH development, MH-60R naval interoperability benefits, and the MH-60R’s low-risk operational status tipped the balance. Read “MH-60R Wins Australia’s Maritime Helicopter Competition” for full coverage.

May 18/11: Sikorsky announces that Sweden’s FMV procurement agency has signed an agreement for 15 UH-60M helicopters via the U.S. Government’s Foreign Military Sales program. Sikorsky using an accelerated schedule, and is slated to deliver 6 of the helicopters in 2011 and the remaining 9 in 2012.

Sweden will become the 26th nation to operate UH-60/S-70 Black Hawk helicopters, but only the 2nd in Europe, alongside Austria’s UH-60Ls. Read “Sweden Ordering H-60M Helicopters for Afghan CSAR/MEDEVAC” for full coverage.

May 17/11: Reports surface that Pentagon safety inspectors issued a top-tier Level III Corrective Action Request on Feb 24/11, in response to 2 separate failures of a valve in the H-60 Black Hawk’s fire suppression system during acceptance testing. The part is used on all current H-60 models.

A Level III Corrective Action Request is 1 level below the most serious type. Level IVs can lead to suspension of payments or deliveries, or even full cancellations and debarment. In this Level III case, the DCMA didn’t plan on any contract action. Sikorsky says that in response, the valve sub-contractor has submitted with a new procedure for attaching the wiring, and proposed a design improvement of the electrical terminals that is under Sikorsky review.

On the other hand, Project On Government Oversight’s Nick Schwellenbach says that Freedom of Information requests have revealed that Sikorsky attracted more than 500 CARs of varying severity levels between July 2009 – April 2011, and 66 of them involved potential flight safety issues. In response, Sikorsky said that “We take strong exception to [implications of lax safety, and the point of CAR is to flag] potential issues so they can be rectified before aircraft reach the field.” Bloomberg News.

April 9/11: Swedish media report that Sweden will indeed buy 15 Black Hawk helicopters for use in Afghanistan. The reports cite speed of delivery, and commonality with allied helicopters in theater, as the primary reasons behind this choice. Sweden reportedly envisions the UH-60s arriving in 2012 and beginning service in theater by 2013, to replace deployed Eurocopter AS332/ HKP 10B Super Puma MEDEVAC helicopters. The entire H-60M fleet would be fully operational by 2017.

April 25/11: The US Air Force secretary and chief of staff have directed that the service proceed with full and open, but separate, competitions for both the USAF’s Common Vertical Lift Support Platform program and the HH-60 Recapitalization Program. The CVLSP fleet will consist of 93 helicopters to replace existing UH-1 Hueys, spread among Air Force Global Strike Command, the Air Force District of Washington and other major commands. The USAF is aiming for a summer 2011 draft RFP, with the final RFP in early fall 2011, and Initial Operational Capability with the winner in 2015.

HH-60 recapitalization aims to replace 112 HH-60G Pave Hawks, with an RFP issued in 2012. In the mean time, an operational loss replacement program aims to keep the fleet more or less capable. So far, 13 HH-60s have been lost during operations, 54/ 99 (55%) remaining are being repaired to correct major structural cracks, and the current flying tempo in Afghanistan is currently twice the standard utilization rate. Even with structural repairs, the HH-60G fleet’s aircraft availability is projected to be less than 50% by 2015. The operational loss program will add newer HH-60M helicopters with better in-service rates, which can be retired last as replacements are fielded. USAF.

March 29/11: Sabreliner Corp. in Saint Louis, MO wins a $15 million firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the internal modifications to create 2 VIP UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for the Royal Jordanian Air Force. That’s on top of separate contracts to buy items like engines, military grade communications, defensive systems, and of course the base helicopters.

Work will be performed in Saint Louis, MO, with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013. One bid was solicited with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Ala., is the contracting activity (W58RGZ-11-C-0073). See also Nov 23/10 and March 23/11 entries.

March 23/11: Sikorsky in Stratford, CT received an $11.6 million firm-fixed-price contract. The award will provide for the acquisition of one Black Hawk helicopter for Jordan. In response to subsequent questions, Sikorsky told DID that it’s a “green UH-60M aircraft to the U.S. Army for Jordan” – making it the 2nd UH-60M airframe ordered. Sikorsky would not specify its use, but this contract plus the Nov 23/10 contract would give Jordan 2 base UH-60M airframes to fulfill its VIP order.

Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of July 30/11. One bid was solicited with one bid received. The U.S. Army Contracting Command at Redstone Arsenal, AL manages this contract (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

March 15/11: USAF Lieutenant General Mark Shackleford tells a House Armed Services Committee panel that the Air Force is leaning toward a competition for its 93 helicopter “Common Vertical Lift Support Platform”, and the FY 2012 contract includes for $5.4 million for development, plus up to $52.8 million to buy the first 2 helicopters. See Nov 1/10 entry re: the possibility of a sole-source UH-60M deal. HASC statement record | Bloomberg.

Jan 24/11: Sikorsky announces that the US Department of State has delivered 3 UH-60Ms to the Government of Mexico’s Federal Police, as the first half of a 6 helicopter order within the Merida Initiative. They will join 7 UH-60Ls already in operation with that organization.

Discussions with Sikorsky confirm that this is the same delivery announced by the US Embassy on Nov 24/10, but delays in State Department approvals for Sikorsky to do likewise prevented them from announcing this earlier. They also confirmed that this order is separate from the order of 3 UH-60Ms for Mexico’s Navy (vid. Sept 13/10 entry). The UH-60M is not marinized to resist salt water like the MH-60S, but the Mexican Navy is also engaged on land, and intends to use those 3 for land-based operations. Sikorsky | AVStop.

Dec 28/10: A $24.8 million firm-fixed-price contract to provide for spares and ground support equipment for the UAE’s 40 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. See also Dec 29/09 entry, which raised their UH-60M fleet to 40 ordered machines.

Work will be completed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Feb 28/14. One bid was solicited with one bid received (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Nov 24/10: The US State Department announces the delivery of 3 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, valued at $64 million, to the Government of Mexico’s Federal Police force (SSP). US Embassy in Mexico.

Nov 23/10: An $11.8 million firm-fixed-price contract. This contract exercises an option for 1 UH-60M VIP aircraft under Jordan Foreign Military Sales Case JO-B-WAT, which includes 4 associated engineering change proposals, and funding for the conversion of specific government furnished equipment items to contractor furnished equipment.

Jordan’s VIP helicopter was initially supposed to be a pair of UH-60Ls, under the Sept 28/06 DSCA request [PDF]. That contract was estimated as being worth up to $60 million, and the rationale for 2 helicopters was explained:

“The aircraft will provide Jordan’s King Abdullah II additional security while flying throughout the Kingdom and while training with the Special Operations Aviation Brigade. The additional aircraft will provide the Jordanian Royal Squadron a back up aircraft if the primary is in maintenance or becomes inoperative. Jordan will use these helicopters for intra-country transportation requirements, including the movement of its National Command Authority.”

Jordan already flies UH-60s, but in the intervening years, Bahrain and the UAE have ordered UH-60Ms, and Saudi Arabia has requested them. Keeping up with the neighbors matters for VIP aircraft, and so does the UH-60M’s improved performance. A VIP aircraft will naturally involve a lot of extra equipment beyond this contract, starting with “extras” like engines and extending to defensive systems, communications, and VIP furnishings. Those buys will take place out of the public spotlight, and are likely to add a considerable sum to the helicopter’s final cost.

Work is to be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/12. One sole-source bid was solicited per Jordan’s helicopter preference, with one-sole source bid received (W58RGZ-08-C-0003, P00253).

Nov 1/10: Defense News reports that the USAF may try to sole-source 93 UH-60Ms under MYP-VII for its Common Vertical Lift Support Platform, which was once seen as part of the canceled CSAR-X competition. CVLSP helicopters would replace UH-1N twin-Hueys for ICBM site monitoring, VIP airlift, and some AFSOC special operations missions. The figure of 93 is also higher than the 66 helicopters initially reported in 2006.

If the USAF does sole-source the UH-60Ms, it would be under the Economy Act of 1932 (31 U.S.C. § 1535). To qualify, a purchase must be for off-the-shelf and available items, not developmental items; be in the best interest of the Government; and “the head of the agency decides ordered goods or services cannot be provided by contract as conveniently or cheaply by a commercial enterprise.”

Needless to say, other helicopter manufacturers are less than pleased, and have openly discussed filing a protest, while the USAF itself says it hasn’t made a final decision. If a competition is allowed, potential competitors include AgustaWestland (AW139), EADS Eurocopter (UH-72A/EC145), and Bell Helicopter (several options). That last qualification in the law could end up being the point of challenges, since larger UH-60M helicopters are inherently more expensive than options like the UH-72A. The easiest dodge for the USAF would be to re-write the RFP’s requirements so that smaller helicopters don’t qualify. FBO Solicitation | Defense News | DoD Buzz.

Oct 20/10:. The US DSCA announces [PDF] Saudi Arabia’s formal request to buy $25.6 billion worth of various helicopter types, plus long-term support, and possibly even base construction, in order to equip their National Guard. The request is one of several contained within a $60 billion set, and includes up to 72 UH-60Ms. Read “A 2010 Saudi Shopping Spree” for full coverage.

Oct 13/10: A $37.8 million firm-fixed-price contract, exercising an option for 2 UH-60M and 1 HH-60M SAR/MEDEVAC. Work is to be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of June 30/12. One sole-source bid was solicited, per MYP-VII (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Oct 13/10: A $34.6 million firm-fixed-price contract exercises an option to purchase 3 UH-60Ms for the US Department of State, who also has an umbrella contract with Sikorsky to field larger S-61T Sea Kings. Work is to be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of June 30/12. One sole-source bid was solicited with one sole-source bid received, per MYP-VII (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Sept 30/10: The US DSCA announces [PDF] Sweden’s formal request to buy up to 15 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters; 34 T700-GE-701D General Electric Engines (30 installed and 4 spares); 15 AN/AAR-57v3 Common Missile Warning Systems, AN/APR-39 Radar Signal Detecting Sets, and AN/AVR-2B Laser Warning Sets; an Aviation Mission Planning Station; a transportable operations simulator; plus communications equipment, spare and repair parts, tools and support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, and U.S. Government and contractor support.

The estimated cost is up to $546 million, and the prime contractors will be Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in Stratford, CT; and General Electric Aircraft Company in Lynn, MA. The DSCA adds that:

“Swedish forces are currently deployed in support of coalition efforts in Afghanistan. This sale will enable the Swedish Forces to address an urgent shortfall in Combat Search and Rescue and Medical Evacuation transport capability while in the area of operations.”

The announcement is odd, because Sweden already flies its NH90 TTH competitor, with its 13 machines ordered in a “high cabin” configuration that’s especially well suited to combat search and rescue and MEDEVAC operations. Eurocopter unveiled a German NH90-TTH MEDEVAC variant on June 4/10, but the NH90 has been plagued by slow deliveries, and slower certification and acceptance. It’s not clear yet whether this has created a genuine opening for the UH-60M in Sweden, or whether the Swedish government is just firing a shot across NH Industries’ bow.

Sept 15/10: A $9.4 million firm-fixed-price contract for “long lead parts for the UH-60M aircraft.”

Work is to be performed at Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/11. One bid was solicited with one received (W58RGZ-08-C-003; Serial #1937).

Sept 13/10: A $36.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for the procurement to convert 3 diverted UH-60M aircraft to the Mexico Navy configuration and provide integrated operator manuals, technical data packages, and warranties. “Diverted” is a shorthand way of saying that American production slots were shifted to Mexico, in order to get the Mexican order delivered faster. The American orders are still in place, they’ll just be delivered later.

Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, and is expected to run until Dec 31/10. One bid was solicited and one bid was received (W58RGZ-08-C-0003). See also Aug 6/10 entry; added together, it’s $71.8 million for the 3 helicopters, plus the cost of any equipment bought separately for installation.

Aug 19/10: LaBarge, Inc. announces a $5 million contract from Sikorsky to produce wiring harnesses for the HH-60M Medevac helicopter.

LaBarge has manufactured cables and electronic assemblies for the Black Hawk program since 2005, but he new contract expands LaBarge’s manufacturing role to include wiring harnesses for the HH-60M’s main cabin. Production will take place at LaBarge’s Berryville, AR facility, and is expected to continue through December 2014.

Aug 6/10: A $35.2 million firm-fixed-price contract for 3 UH-60M aircraft for the Mexican Navy, and three auxiliary power units inlet barrier filter kits for the UH-60M. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/12. One bid was solicited with one bid received

This is an interesting choice, as opposed to the navalized MH-60S which packs similar surveillance capabilities, can carry weapons, and is built to endure in corrosive salt-water environments. The base airframe is reportedly quite similar between the UH-60M and MH-60S, however. The inlet barrier filter kits mentioned above improve operations in dusty environments, and may have some marine benefits as well.

Note that this is not the full price of the helicopters. The most probable explanations involve a frequently-seen 49% initial payment, or the cost of 3 airframes without “government furnished equipment that includes such niceties as engines, electronics, defensive systems, etc. (W58RGZ-08-C-0003). See also Mexican Security blog.

July 20/10: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announces the delivery of the 200th UH/HH-60M BLACK HAWK helicopter to the U.S. Army.

July 15/10: Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin are teaming up to offer an upgraded version of the UH-60M Black Hawk, in a bid for the U.S. Air Force’s contract (CSAR-X, now HH-60 Personnel Recovery Recapitalization) to replace roughly 112 HH-60 Pave Hawk Combat Search and Rescue helicopters.

Sikorsky had offered its H-92 Superhawk in the last round, and Lockheed Martin had teamed with AgustaWestland to offer a variant of the EH101. Both lost to Boeing’s HH-47 Chinook. If their new bid wins, the base airframes would likely be offered under MYP-VII, but all of the associated equipment required for a CSAR helicopter would be extra. Subcontractor Lockheed Martin would be responsible for integrating those extras. Sikorsky | Lockheed Martin | Defense News.

July 9/10: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT receives a $6.666 million firm-fixed-price contract, finalizing their contract to convert 9 UH-60Ms to Bahrain’s specifications, per Foreign Military Sales Case BA-B-UIR. See also April 29/08 entry.

Sikorsky will also provide technical publications, integrated logistics support, field service representatives, warranty support, and ferry flight technical shipping support. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated contract completion date of Dec 31/12. One bid was solicited with one bid received by the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command, AMSAM-AC-BH-A at Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

June 02/10: Ducommun AeroStructures announces a $12 million contract to furnish TIGHITCO, Inc. with 360 Upturned Exhaust System (UES) sub-assemblies and components for Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.’s H-60M BLACK HAWK helicopter program.

The UES Program is reportedly the result of 4 years of cooperative development between the U.S. Army, Sikorsky, TIGHITCO and Ducommun. The UES is intended to lower infrared signature against shoulder-fired missiles, while providing increased power. The first ship set deliveries are being made this quarter for field retrofit on existing HH/UH-60M Black Hawks. Full production for new aircraft is scheduled to begin later in 2010, and follow-on UH-60A/L retrofit orders are expected, with all work being performed at Ducommun AeroStructures’ Coxsackie, NY facility.

April 5/10: A $9.2 million firm-fixed-price contract for incorporating the recurring production of Engineering Change Proposal 628 (AV 10063R1, UH/HH-60M Black Hawk upturned exhaust systems). Work is to be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/12. One bid was solicited with one bid received (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

March 5/10: A $34.4 million firm-fixed-price contract will buy between 144 – 326 upturned exhaust systems for UH/HH-60Ms. This simple change forces hot exhaust gasses up into the rotor wash, which disperses them and so makes the helicopter a tougher target for heat-seeking missiles. The exhausts will be installed in production line aircraft, and retrofitted to helicopters serving on the front lines in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Work is to be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Feb 28/15. One bid was solicited with one bid received (W58RGZ-10-D-0001).

Feb 25/10: A $46.9 million firm-fixed-price contract option for 4 UH-60M aircraft for the [US] Air Force. Work is to be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/10. One bid was solicited with one bid received (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Jan 29/10: The US DSCA announces [PDF] Taiwan’s official request for up to 60 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to replace its aged UH-1H Huey fleet, at an estimated cost is $3.1 billion. The principal contractors will be United Technologies’ subsidiary Sikorsky Aircraft in Stratford, CT (UH-60M), and General Electric Aircraft Engines in Lynn, MA. The DSCA adds that:

“The purchaser has requested offsets; however, at this time they are undetermined and will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and contractors.”

Specific equipment sought if a contract is signed includes:

• 60 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters
• 120 T-700-GE-701D engines installed
• 18 spare T-700-GE-701D engines
• 69 AN/APR-39Av2 Radar Warning Receivers
• 69 AN/ALQ-144Av1 Infrared Countermeasure Sets
• 69 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems
• 69 AN/AVR-2B Laser Detecting Sets
• 120 GAU-19/A .50 cal Machine Gun Systems
• 310 AN/AVS-9 Aviator Night Vision Goggles.
• Associated .50 cal ammunition, pyrotechnics, cartridges and propellant actuated devices, to equip the guns and countermeasures systems.
• Plus “other explosives including devices,” Po-Sheng Communication/Data Link Systems, ammunition, spare and repair parts, tools and support equipment, publications and technical data, personnel training and training equipment, and other support.

Taiwan doesn’t operate Black Hawks yet, but its Navy operates S-70C Seahawk helicopters, so it has some experience with the general type. Implementation of this proposed sale may require the assignment of 2 contractor representatives for a period of up to 2 years.

Jan 19/10: A $923.7 million firm-fixed-price contract, funding Program Year 4/ US Army Lot 34 production under the multi-year contract. The contract funds 77 H-60M helicopters: 46 baseline UH-60Ms, 10 UH-60M options, and 21 HH-60M helicopters; plus tooling, program systems management, and technical publications.

Work is to be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/12. One bid solicited with one bid received (W5RGZ-08-C-0003).

Jan 19/10: A $600.7 million firm-fixed-price contract, funding Program Year 4 for the US Navy under the multi-year contract. The contract funds 42 helicopters: 18 MH-60S Seahawks (Lot 12 production), 24 MH-60R Seahawks (Lot 8 production); plus tooling, program systems management, and technical publications.

Work is to be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/12. One bid solicited with one bid received (W5RGZ-08-C-0003).

Dec 31/09: Kaman Aerospace Corp’s Helicopter Division in Bloomfield, CT received a $7.2 million firm-fixed-price contract, exercising an to apply corrosion prevention blade coatings to 500 government furnished blades for installation on UH/HH-60M aircraft. Work is to be performed in Bloomfield, CT, with an estimated completion date of March 31/14 (W58RGZ-09-C-0155).

Dec 29/09: A $171 million firm-fixed-price contract to produce 14 UH-60M helicopters and convert them to the UAE’s unique configuration. Sikorsky has confirmed that these are not full “Battlehawk” multi-role helicopters, just the exercise of an option that will raise the UAE’s core UH-60M fleet to 40 machines. *H-60M Battlehawk kits will be a separate contract.

Work is to be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/12 (W58RGZ-08-C-0003). See also “UAE Ordering Weaponized UH-60M ‘Battlehawk’ Helicopters” for more background.

Dec 29/09: A $29 million firm-fixed-price contract to fund the US Army’s advance materials procurement for Lot 35 production (5th MYP year) of UH-60M and HH-60M Black Hawk helicopters. Work is to be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/12. One bid was solicited with one bid received (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Dec 14/09: Sikorsky announces that the Armed Black Hawk demonstrator has completed its test program. The program was undertaken by the Israeli Air Force, using Sikorsky and several local defense contractors (Elbit Systems, Rafael, plus France’s Nexter). A number of international customers could end up ordering the modifications, which would be available on new-build aircraft, or as a kit that can be retrofitted onto existing UH-60/ S-70 helicopters. Sikorsky release | Jerusalem Post: “IAF testing new Black Hawk models.” | See also details in: “UAE Seeks Weaponized UH-60M ‘Battlehawk’ Helicopters.”

Dec 9/09: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT receives an $11.5 million firm-fixed-price contract for incorporation of recurring costs associated with US Navy MH-60S Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs). ECP 4003 covers night vision device compatible rotor head lights, and ECP 4035 covers active vibration control installation. Work is to be performed at Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/12. One bid was solicited and one bid received by U.S. Army Contracting Command, AMCOM Contracting Center at Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Dec 1/09: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. formally delivers the first UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter to the Defense Forces of Bahrain at a ceremony in Horseheads, NY.

Sept 17/09: A $24.6 million firm-fixed-price contract for 2 MH-60S “overseas contingency operation” (supplemental budget funding) aircraft for the US Navy. Work is to be performed in Stratford, CT with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/12 (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Sept 1/09: Sikorsky announces that its subsidiary PZL Mielec began final assembly of the first S-70i Black Hawk helicopter on Aug 17/09. The first S-70 International helicopter is expected to be completed in 2010, and PZL Mielec will be the S-70i’s final assembly center. The goal is to offer “10-ton utility lift capability at a price comparable to helicopters in the 6-to-8-ton class,” while broadening opportunities for international cooperation to win foreign orders in Eastern Europe and beyond.

Meanwhile, PZL Mielec has completed 3 helicopter cabins that have been incorporated into the American UH-60M helicopter assembly line at Sikorsky’s main American manufacturing facility.

At present, PZL Mielec already cooperates with 23 suppliers and subcontractors in Poland; that figure is expected to increase to about 100 in the foreseeable future, as work progresses on the S-70i and UH-60M cabin production ramps up.

Aug 19/09: A $37.7 million firm-fixed-price contract option for 2 UH-60M and 1 HH-60M helicopters with recurring Engineering Change Proposals 0613R1 (Engine Inlet Barrier filter) and 0614R1 (Common Missile Warning System 5th sensor) installed on the aircraft, and 3 Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) Inlet Barrier Filter Kits. Work is to be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/12. One bid solicited with one bid received (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Both ECPs are part of a “block upgrade” incorporation. Such items might be called out separately in a contract if the recurring price has not been agreed upon, but this has not been confirmed. The APU Unit Inlet Barrier Filter is installed by the US Army in Lakehurst NJ.

Aug 19/09: With a handshake and the passing of a log book and keys, representatives from the US Army’s Utility Helicopter Project Office delivered the 1st of 4 UH-60Ms that will enter U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency service by July 2010. The US CBP already flies earlier-model UH-60As – including one helicopter that was shot down over Grenada in 1983, then recovered and repaired.

The MY-VII contract was modified to add 4 UH-60M aircraft for US Homeland Security, but the US DHS equipment modifications are not considered to be part of the Multi-Year contract. The Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC) at Redstone Arsenal, AL teamed with the Utility Helicopter Project Office to integrate CBP’s required equipment into the helicopters. AMRDEC’s Product Integration Facility is responsible for the management, design, fabrication, integration and installation of mission kits to include navigation, communication, emergency and environmental controls. Work will follow to obtain an airworthiness release for these helicopters. US Army.

April 21/09: Curtiss-Wright Controls Inc., announces a contract from United Technologies subsidiary Claverham Ltd. (a Hamilton Sundstrand Flight Systems business unit) to provide multi-channel linear variable displacement transducers (LVDTs) for the fly-by-wire (FBW) systems controlling the main rotor and tail rotor on the Sikorsky UH-60M Upgrade and CH-53K helicopters.

The LVDTs are special pressure sealed linear displacement transducers that are embedded in Claverham’s Primary Flight Control Actuators. The transducers provide electrical signals that are proportional to the position of the hydraulic actuator rod, and the actuators change pitch angles on the main and tail rotors in response to the pilot’s commands.

These two programs have a potential contract value in excess of $20 million over a 15-year period, with shipments expected to begin in 2009. The company will supply these products from its Christchurch, UK operation.

Dec 24/08: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in Stratford, CT receives an $85 million firm-fixed-price contract, exercising an option for 6 more MH-60R Helicopters. Work is to be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/12 (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Dec 23/08: The Lockheed Martin/ Sikorsky joint venture Maritime Helicopter Support Company in Woodbridge, VA received a sole-source $16.5 million firm-fixed-price, definite delivery and definite quantity contract. They will repair, repair management and Commercial Asset Visibility reporting of US H-60 aircraft weapons replaceable assemblies and system replaceable assemblies. This contract contains a base period with 2 option periods, and if all options are exercised its total value would rise to $49.5 million.

Work will be performed at Stratford, CT (60%); and Owego, NY (40%), and is expected to be complete by June 2009. Funding is provided by Navy Working Capital Funds (NWCF) BP85. One company was solicited and one offer was received by The Naval Inventory Control Point manages the contract (N00383-09-C-011F), which is not directly part of the multi-year buy contract.

Dec 17/08: An $812.8 million firm-fixed-price contract for Army Lot XXXIII, which consists of 51 UH-60M and 12 HH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters, plus tooling; Program Systems Management, and technical publications.

Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, with an estimated completion date of Dec 12/12. Since it’s done under a set multi-year contract, one bid was solicited and one bid was received (W58RGZ-08-C-003).

Dec 16/08: A $619.9 million firm-fixed-price contract the H-60 VII multi-year contract. The Navy is buying 24 MH-60R helicopters (Lot VII) and 18 MH-60S helicopters (Lot XI), plus tooling; Program Systems Management, and technical publications.

Work will be performed in Stratford, CT with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/12. Since it’s done under a set multi-year contract, one bid was solicited and one bid was received (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Dec 8/08: Sikorsky’s Aerospace Services after market business announces a 5-year $840 million contract with the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command (AMCOM) to provide technical, logistical, and engineering expertise through Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) Best Practices to the Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD).

The contract renews a 5-year agreement initially signed in December 2002. Through this partnership, Sikorsky Aerospace Services helps CCAD deliver better readiness rates through OEM engineering, procurement, and on-site support of 70 UH-60 components. The firm also works with CCAD to improve repair-turn-around-time for other components, and for UH-60 helicopter airframes.

This work is not part of the multi-year purchase contract, but it is an important ancillary.

Sept 29/08: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT receives a $52.7 million firm-fixed-price contract for an option for 2 MH-60S and 2 MH-60R helicopters for the US Navy. Work will be performed in Nashua, NH, with an estimated completion date of Dec 31/12. One bid was solicited and one bid was received by the US Army Aviation & Missile Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Aug 14/07: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in Stratford, CT an $8.9 million firm-fixed price contract for procurement of spares and ground support equipment for the Bahrain Defense Force, which ordered 9 UH-60Ms in December 2007. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/12. One bid was solicited on Oct 20/05. The US Army Aviation and Missile Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL issued the contract (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

July 22/08: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in Stratford, CT received a $22 million firm-fixed price contract for 2 MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/12. One bid was solicited on Oct 20/05 (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

July 21/08: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT received a $110.6 million firm-fixed price contract for the incorporation of the requirement to convert the production configuration of 26 UH-60M aircraft. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/12. One bid was solicited on Oct 20/05 (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

July 3/08: A $9.8 million firm-fixed price contract for long lead time parts connected with the UH-60M upgrade. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/12. One bid was solicited on Oct 20/05 (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

July 2/08: A $14.5 million firm-fixed price contract that modifies the UH-60M’s low-rate initial production spare parts contract. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/08. One bid was solicited on May 3/07 (DAAH23-02-C-0006, not the MY-VII contract but relevant).

July 1/08: A $46.3 million firm fixed price contract for 4 more UH-60M helicopters, plus material inspection and installation of auxiliary power unit kits. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT and is expected to be complete on Dec 3/12. One bid was solicited on Oct 20/05 (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

June 2/08: A $34.1 million firm-fixed price contract for 3 UH-60M helicopters and “post DD form 250 installation of auxiliary power unit kits.” DD form 250 is the US Department of Defense’s Material Inspection and Receiving Report.

Work will be performed in Stratford, CT and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/12. One bid was solicited on Oct 20/05 (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

April 29/08: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT received a $30.4 million firm-fixed price contract for conversion of 9 UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters into “unique aircraft configuration for the Bahrain Defense Force,” and to provide training, technical publications, integrated logistics support, field service representative, warranty, and ferry flight technical shipping support. See also Dec 14/07 entry, “Bahrain Becomes 1st International UH-60M Buyer” for more.

Work will be performed in Stratford, CT and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/12. One bid was solicited on Oct 20/05 by the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command in Redstone Arsenal, AL (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

March 7/08: A $368.4 million firm-fixed price contract for 6 UH-60M and 20 HH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, and post-DD250 Installation of auxiliary power unit kits. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT and is expected to be complete by Dec. 31, 2012. There was 1 bid solicited on Oct 20/05, and 1 bid was received (W58RGZ-08-C-003).

Feb 6/08: Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT received a $14.2 million firm-fixed-price contract for “option one.” In this case, it’s a single MH-60R Sea Hawk Helicopter in flying condition, but without mission systems and some avionics (see Aug 15/07 entry, these add about $8 million to the price). The way the current multi-year contract works is through a set of pre-contracted “lots”, in the MH-60R’s case Lots IV-IX. Options also exist that allow the Navy to take up to 2 helicopters out of an MH-60R production lot, or add up to 3.

Work will be performed in Stratford, CT. The announcement says it is expected to be complete by Dec 31/12, but the helicopter is expected in 2010 and will have software SysConfig 58 electronics & software, plus the MH-60R’s standard “Block 2” equipment. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. One bid was solicited on Oct. 20, 2005, and 1 bid was received by the U.S. Army Aviation & Missile Command in Huntsville, AL (W58RGZ-08-C-0003).

Jan 22/08: Kaman Aerospace Corporation’s Aerostructures Division announces a Memorandum of Agreement with Sikorsky to manufacture cockpits for UH-60M, HH-60M and MH-60S helicopters at Kaman’s Jacksonville, FL facility. The value of initial orders to Kaman is approximately $74.3 million, but if all options are exercised through 2012, the new multi-year agreement has a total potential value of approximately $196.4 million.

Kaman began manufacturing cockpits for Sikorsky in 2005. The firm delivered 147 cockpits of various models through November 2007, including UH-60L, UH-60M, and S-70A Black Hawks, and MH-60S Seahawks. In addition to manufacturing the cockpit structures, Kaman also installs all wiring harnesses, hydraulic assemblies, control pedals and sticks, seat tracks, pneumatic lines, and the composite structure that holds the helicopter windscreen. Kaman release [PDF].

Jan 22/08: Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. announces a 5-year contract with Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. to manufacture cabin structures for UH-60L, UH-60M and MH-60S helicopters. Each cabin structure consists of approximately 3,600 parts made from aluminum, titanium and steel. The total estimated contract value is approximately $600 million for deliveries through 2012.

The new award follows an earlier 2005 cabin structures contract with Sikorsky, which led to delivery of 90 helicopter cabins to Sikorsky over the last 3 years and employed 450 people in Dallas, TX. With UH-60M Black Hawk and MH-60S Seahawk production hitting full stride, the number of cabin structures involved in this contract is likely to increase sharply. Vought release.

Dec 27/07: A $1.51 billion firm-fixed-price contract for 117 UH-60, HH-60, and MH-60 helicopters for the USA and UAE, under the 2nd year (FY 2008) of the Multi-Year VII contract. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT and is expected to be complete by Dec 31/12. One bid was solicited on Oct 20/05, and 1 bid was received (W58RGZ-08-C-0003). Helicopters produced under this award will include:

• 28 UH-60M (US Army utility, Lot 32)
• 26 UH-60M (United Arab Emirates)
• 20 HH-60M (US Army rescue & medical, Lot 32)
• 18 MH-60S (US Navy utility, Lot 10)
• 25 MH-60R (US Navy anti-submarine/strike, Lot 6)

Dec 14/07: The Multi-Year VII initial year (MY VII, FY 2007) contract award is a $1.48 billion firm-fixed-price contract. It covers for procurement of 106 Army and Navy helicopters for the USA, Bahrain and Thailand, as well as tooling, program systems management and production of technical publications. Work will be performed in Stratford, CT, and is expected to be completed by Dec 31/12. There was 1 bid solicited on Oct 20/05, and 1 bid was received (W58RGZ-08-C-0003). The helicopters purchased were:

• 34 UH-60M (US Army utility, Lot 31)
• 09 UH-60M (Bahrain)
• 13 UH-60M (Optional, moved over from MY VI contract)
• 05 HH-60M (Optional SAR/MEDEVAC moved over from MY VI contract)
• 18 MH-60S (US Navy utility, Lot 9)
• 02 MH-60S (Thailand)
• 25 MH-60R (US Navy ASW/strike, Lot 5)

The Bahraini helicopters were the subject of an official DSCA request issued on July 28/06, followed by Sikorsky’s announcement of a contract agreement on June 19/07.

Dec 3/07: Here’s an effort to watch. GKN Aerospace, teamed with Sikorsky Aircraft and the US Army’s ManTech Program Office, completes the design, development and manufacture of the UH-60 Common Composite Tailcone (CTC) test unit. The new tail would offer reduced weight, parts count, tooling costs, and manufacturing costs, all of which would be attractive for Army H-60Ms. Naval MH-60R/S helicopters would also benefit very strongly, however, because composites don’t corrode in the saltwater spray. This is one reason the H-60’s new European competitors (NH90-TTH/NFH and EH101) make extensive use of composites, instead of metal, throughout their airframes.

GKN Aerospace’s Reduced Tooling Concept cut the number of tools by more than 70% over traditional methods, while replacing traditional honeycomb-in-sandwich structures with a highly repeatable, close tolerance structure made of a material called X-Cor. Costs have also been reduced through the use of automated fiber placement in the manufacture of the tailcone skins – providing high quality, repeatable laminates that never need painting, because the color is integrated into the skin itself at the lay-up stage.

In 2005, during the design phase, the CTC program received the prestigious Robert L. Pinckney Award from the American Helicopter Society for notable achievements in the manufacturing research and development for rotorcraft components. GKN release.

Aug 15/07: Lockheed Martin Systems Integration-Owego in Owego, NY received a $951.7 million finalization modification to a previously awarded advance acquisition contract (N00019-06-C-0098). This creates a firm-fixed-price multiyear contract for 139 MH-60R Mission Avionics Systems, including radars and other sensors, from FY 2007 (Lot 5) through FY 2011 (Lot 9). When combined with advance procurement contracts from January and May 2006 totaling $113.6 million, the total value of this multi-year contract rises to $1.065 billion – or $7.66 million per set.

We include this contract here because the MH-60R contracts under “Multi-Year VII” do not include this equipment. The helicopters are flown to Owego, NY, where this contract turns it into a mission-ready MH-60R naval helicopter.

The price could have been $8.58 million each. Lockheed Martin’s release says the multi-year approach creates a 12% savings compared to individual batch buys. Work will be performed in Owego, NY, and is expected to be complete in December 2013. See “$1.065B Buys Electronics for 139 MH-60R Helicopters” for full coverage.

May 7/07: Bahraini officials sign the U.S. Army Letter of Offer and Acceptance to purchase 9 UH-60M helicopters through a Foreign Military Sale (FMS), making them the first international buyer for the type. A June 19/07 Sikorsky release values the sale at $204 million.

July 28/06: The US DSCA announces [PDF] Bahrain’s formal request to buy 9 of the latest model UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters with engines, 2 spare T-700-GE-701D turbine engines, and full support. Contract value up to $252 million; contractors will be United Technologies’ subsidiary Sikorsky, and General Electric.

Additional Readings

• Sikorsky – UH-60M BLACK HAWK Helicopter

• Global Security – UH-60M [UH-60L+]

• US Army Reserve (no date given) – 244th Aviation Brigade receives its first HH-60M MEDEVAC Blackhawk

• USAF – HH-60G Pave Hawk. Used for Combat Search & Rescue. The HH-60M is an Army variant with different equipment.

• DID FOCUS – MH-60R/S: The USA’s New Naval Workhorse Helicopters

• Sikorsky – SEAHAWK Helicopter. MH-60S and MH-60R naval helicopters, whose base airframe are also purchased under MYP-VII.

• Lockheed Martin – MH-60R. Lockheed Martin is responsible for the MH-60R’s unique equipment.

• Naval Technology – MH-60R Seahawk Multimission Naval Helicopter, USA

• Naval Technology – MH-60S Knighthawk Multi-Mission Naval Helicopter, USA. Technically, it’s a Seahawk not a Knighthawk, though that was widely believed to be its distinguishing name when it was first fielded.

Tags: myp-vii