Rotorhub
Singapore 2010: US continues to push MH-60R for region
The US team behind the development of the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter is in discussion with Australia, Denmark and India about possible Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of the aircraft.
Speaking to reporters at the Singapore Air Show on 2 February, Michael Sears of the Naval Air Systems Command's Multi-Mission Helicopter Office said with the US Navy programme is progressing well - 50 of 300 aircraft have to date been delivered - attention has now turned to possible future international sales.
'We can deliver an aircraft three years after contract signature. Right now there are 2011 aircraft build slots available,' Sears said.
'Team Romeo' comprising the USN, Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky is taking the lead for international sales interest.
The MH-60R will replace the SH-60B and SH-60F helicopters in the ASW and AsuW role as well as for auxiliary naval missions.
Company representatives were eager to stress the aircraft is more than a simple upgrade of the legacy aircraft, claiming that it is a modern airframe with a number of capability enhancements. These include a structurally improved cabin, integrated HUMS, active vibration control (AVC), a fourth weapons pylon, night vision compatibility and corrosion prevention.
Crew performance has been 'optimised', allowing the crew of three to handle 10 times the amount of information provided to crews of the SH-60B/F.
All 300 USN aircraft are expected to be delivered by 2019.
Meanwhile Sikorsky continues development of the S-70i Black Hawk transport/utility helicopter, with the first helicopter due to be delivered from the PZL Mielec facility in Poland to Sikorskiy facilities in Florida for qualification testing. Sikorsky acquired PZL Mielec in 2007.
Mike Ambrose, Vice President International Government Programs at Sikorsky, told rotorhub.com the aircraft was expected to be fully qualified by the end of the year.
Ambrose said the aircraft was effectively a UH-60M that has been tailored for the international market.
'We have taken out the HUMS, we have taken out about 12,000 pounds of equipment, so it is lighter and also several million dollars less expensive.'
The company has also developed a new integrated weapons kit for the Black Hawk in conjunction with Israel's Elbit Systems.
Ambrose said the weapons kit had three levels of configuration, depending on requirements. The UAE, which is procuring 40 UH-60M helicopters, is the launch customer for the weapons kit with a configuration including a Nexter 20mm gun and laser-guided missiles.
Ambrose said the development of the weapons kit was not an attempt replace the attack helicopter with the Black Hawk and was instead an acknowledgement that in current operations helicopters can come under fire whatever their role.
By Tony Skinner, Singapore
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