The US Navy has granted Lockheed Martin a $1.05 billion contract to "definitize" a previous award to install common cockpits and mission avionics for the service's Sikorsky MH-60R and MH-60S helicopter fleets.
"This contract represents the Navy's commitment to build and field the most technologically advanced maritime helicopter fleet in the world," says Rear Adm Paul Grosklags, vice commander of the US Naval Air Systems Command.
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According to Lockheed, the multi-year contract includes 162 cockpits, integrated missions systems and sensors for the MH-60R variant, which is the version tasked with anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions.
But there are also 62 digital cockpits for the MH-60S helicopters, which are used for ship-to-ship cargo resupply, search and rescue, and close-in defence of navy vessels.
Dan Spoor, Lockheed's vice president in charge of the MH-60 avionics programme, says that the multiyear contract saves the USN more than 10% a year in costs.
Source: Flight International