Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in Stratford, CT received a $24.9 million modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price advance acquisition contract (N00019-04-C-0115) for long lead material and effort associated with the FY 2006 production and delivery of 12 full rate production MH-60R Multi-Mission helicopters. This award is similar to a recent $25.5 million long lead material advance acquisition contract issued to Lockheed Martin (N00019-04-C-0113).
Lockheed Martin is the mission systems integrator for the MH-60R Seahawk Multi-Mission Helicopter, and also provides the digital cockpit, which is common to all MH-60R and H-60S Knighthawk helicopters. Sikorsky designs and manufactures the MH-60R and H-60S aircraft, and is responsible for the mechanical and electrical modifications on the airframe.
The new MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter will feature advanced radar, new missile capabilities, low frequency dipping sonar, an integrated self-defense suite, and a host of other improvements that include a new cabin, a service life extension for the tail, new avionics, and a new “glass” common cockpit based on display screens rather than dials (which it will share with the Marines’ H-60S Knighthawk utility helicopter). This will allow pilots to switch from one aircraft type to another with greater ease, and will reduce the logistic support infrastructure, resulting in lower cost of ownership.
With the addition of the H-60S Knighthawk program, these “midlife upgrades” will allow the U.S. Navy to become an all H-60 helicopter fleet.
Work on this particular contract will be performed in Stratford, CT and is expected to be completed in April 2006. Contract funds will not expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Md. issued the contract.