AVALON, Australia, Feb. 25, 2013 — Lockheed Martin has completed the 400^th Common Cockpit™ avionics suite for the U.S. Navy’s MH-60 Seahawk helicopter program. The digital cockpit will be installed aboard the first of 24 MH-60R (Romeo) anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopters to be acquired by the Royal Australian Navy via the U.S. Government’s Foreign Military Sales program.

“The Common Cockpit avionics suite has proved to be a highly effective flight and mission systems hub during more than 600,000 flight hours aboard the U.S. Navy’s fleet of 360 MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters built and delivered to date,” said Capt. James Glass, program manager for H-60 Multi-Mission Helicopters. “A digital, all glass cockpit that’s common to both platforms and operationally proven will enable critical interoperability between MH-60 aircraft operated by both the Australian and U.S. navies.”

Australia is the first international customer to buy the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R multi-mission helicopter, which became operational in January 2006. The U.S. Navy is expected to take delivery of the first mission-ready MH-60R helicopter in December 2013 for transfer to the Royal Australian Navy in early 2014. All 24 Australian aircraft are to be delivered by mid 2016.

“The MH-60R is a proven capability with the Common Cockpit at its core,” said Capt Scott Lockey, who is the Project Director for the Australian MH-60R program. “The Australian acquisition of 24 multi-mission Romeo helicopters means that we will have the capacity to provide at least eight warships with a combat helicopter at the same time, and we can rely on the Common Cockpit to successfully network and communicate with our fleet.”

The Common Cockpit avionics suite features four large, flat-panel, multi-function, night-vision-compatible, color displays. The suite processes and manages communications and sensor data streaming into MH-60 multi-mission helicopters, presenting to the crew of three actionable information that significantly reduces workload while increasing situational awareness.

Stratford, Connecticut-based Sikorsky builds the MH-60R and MH-60S aircraft. Lockheed Martin Mission Systems & Training in Owego, N.Y. delivered the first MH-60 Common Cockpit avionics suite in 2002 when U.S. Navy MH-60S helicopters became operational.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products, and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2012 were $47.2 billion.

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Common Cockpit avionics suite is a trademark of Lockheed Martin Corporation.

Lockheed’s 400th Common Cockpit will be installed in Australia’s first MH-60R

In the mid-1970s NASA astronaut Fred Gregory advised Space Shuttle managers to talk to the agency’s aeronautics experts after he learned that the Atlantis cockpit was slated for an update. NASA conducted research on displays that could process the raw aircraft system and flight data into an integrated, easily understood picture of the flight situation, culminating in a series of flights demonstrating a full glass cockpit system.

Borrowing from the work done by NASA and commercial airlines, Lockheed Martin developed the Common Cockpit avionics suite for the U.S. Navy’s MH-60 SEAHAWK helicopter program.

Today (Feb. 25), it will bring the 400^th Common Cockpit to the Royal Australian Navy via the MH-60 Romeo helicopter program. Lockheed Martin delivered the first MH-60 Common Cockpit avionics suite in 2002 when U.S. Navy MH-60 Sierra helicopters became operational.

“The Common Cockpit avionics suite has proved to be a highly effective flight and mission systems hub during more than 600,000 flight hours aboard the U.S. Navy’s fleet of 360 MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters built and delivered to date,” said Capt. James Glass, the U.S. Navy’s program manager for H-60 Multi-Mission Helicopters. “A digital, all glass cockpit that’s common to both platforms and operationally proven will enable critical interoperability between MH-60 aircraft operated by both the Australian and U.S. navies.”

The Common Cockpit avionics suite features four large, flat-panel, multi-function, night-vision-compatible, color displays. The suite processes and manages communications and sensor data streaming into MH-60 multi-mission helicopters, presenting to the crew of three actionable information that significantly reduces workload while increasing situational awareness.

Australia is the first international customer to buy the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R multi-mission helicopter, which became operational in January 2006. The U.S. Navy is expected to take delivery of the first mission-ready MH-60R helicopter in December 2013 for transfer to the Royal Australian Navy in early 2014. All 24 Australian aircraft are to be delivered by mid 2016.

“The MH-60R is a proven capability with the Common Cockpit at its core,” said Capt Scott Lockey, who is the Project Director for the Australian MH-60R program. “The Australian acquisition of 24 multi-mission Romeo helicopters means that we will have the capacity to provide at least eight warships with a combat helicopter at the same time, and we can rely on the Common Cockpit to successfully network and communicate with our fleet.”

Navy accepts delivery of its newest multi-mission helicopter during a ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s New York facility

The U.S. Navy’s MH-60R is the most advanced multi-purpose maritime helicopter in the world. During a recent ceremony in Owego, N.Y., Lockheed Martin delivered the 150th helicopter to the Navy, and rolled out the 400th Common Cockpit, which will be installed in the first of 24 MH-60Rs being built for the Australian Navy. Photo courtesy U.S. Navy.

The U.S. Navy received the first of its planned 300 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters in 2007. In late January, the Navy accepted its 150^th MH-60R during a ceremony at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Owego, N.Y.

But don’t confuse the two. Today’s MH-60R is not the same as the one that came off the factory floor a little over five years ago.

“Yes, this aircraft is the most technically advanced multi-mission helicopter in the world,” said Lt. Commander Holly Hoxsie in a Jan. 31 WICZ.com story. “The best way to maybe describe it is (like comparing) an older video game to the newer ones where I’m able to do everything easily from the cockpit.”

Following the ceremony, which was attended by approximately 350 people including Congressman Tom Reed of New York, Hoxsie flew the Navy’s newest MH-60R to San Diego, where it will be based.

“The sensor suit[e] that we have on this aircraft is really world class so it allows the Navy unprecedented capability to identify adversaries at sea for both anti-submarine warfare and surface warfare,” said Tom Kane, director of Lockheed Martin’s naval helicopter program, in the WICZ.com story.

In addition to its anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities, the helicopter also performs search and rescue, vertical replenishment, naval surface fire support, medical evacuation and communications and data relay missions.

Lockheed Martin provides the digital cockpit common to the MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters, while Sikorsky manufactures the airframe. The companies have co-developed and delivered helicopters for the Navy for more than 35 years.

Also during the Jan. 31 ceremony, Lockheed Martin rolled out its 400^th common cockpit, which will be installed in the first MH-60R being built for Australia. In 2011, Australia announced that it planned to purchase 24 MH-60Rs through the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales program to replace its Navy’s 16 existing S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters, which entered service in the late 1980s.

Team Seahawk nets second Foreign Military Sale, preps for next competition

Countries flying the MH-60R also benefit from U.S. Navy management, logistical support, training, product improvements and technical services.

This has been a busy year for Lockheed Martin and its Team Seahawk partners. Celebrations are underway in honor of the second Foreign Military Sale (FMS) of the MH-60R Romeo. The U.S. Navy announced an official agreement with the Danish government on Dec. 6 that paves the way for a fleet of nine Romeos to replace Denmark’s aging fleet of AgustaWestland Super Lynx helicopters.

“It’s great news that the Danish government has selected the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R, an aircraft we believe is the world’s most capable multi-mission maritime helicopter,” said Rear Adm. Paul Grosklags, Program Executive Officer, Air, ASW, Assault and Special Mission Programs. “Danish pilots and crew will be able to fly with the confidence that these aircraft have been proven operationally capable at sea and have the full logistics support already in place to ensure they are ready and able to fly anytime, anywhere in the world.”

In the midst of the excitement, preparations continue for the delivery, slated for late next year, of the first of an eventual 24 Romeos to the Royal Australian Navy. And the team is within sight of the finish line in the competition to provide the Republic of Korea with a fleet of MH-60R Romeo helicopters.

There’s a reason for the Romeo’s popularity, and the many merits of this multi-mission maritime helicopter are being recognized by a number of organizations. The Defense Department recently bestowed the Phoenix Award on an MH-60R squadron. The award is notable not only because it recognizes outstanding performance in field-level maintenance, but because this is the first and only helicopter squadron in the history of the award to receive the honor.

In early November, Aviation Week & Space Technology magazine’s Program Excellence Awards selected the MH-60 Multi-Year Production contract to receive a number of accolades – two of 22 best practice awards (one for cost estimation and the second for supply chain collaboration) and a System Level Production award went to the MH-60R team at Lockheed Martin.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 6, 2012 – The U.S. Navy announced today that the Danish government signed an official letter of offer and acceptance formalizing its intent to buy nine MH-60R SEAHAWK^® helicopters and comprehensive logistics support for its Maritime Helicopter Replacement Program.

Valued at US $686 million (Kr 4 billion), the aircraft will be procured via the U.S. government’s Foreign Military Sales program.

“It’s great news that the Danish government has selected the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R, an aircraft we believe is the world’s most capable multi-mission maritime helicopter,” said Rear Adm. Paul Grosklags, Program Executive Officer, Air, ASW, Assault and Special Mission Programs. “Danish pilots and crew will be able to fly with the confidence that these aircraft have been proven operationally capable at sea and have the full logistics support already in place to ensure they are ready and able to fly anytime, anywhere in the world.”

Denmark is the second country to buy MH-60R helicopters following Australia’s purchase of 24 aircraft in 2011. All nine aircraft will be delivered to the Danish government by 2018.

The Danish aircraft are configured for anti-surface warfare operations, including defending Danish interests in the North Atlantic, executing anti-piracy operations, and conducting other missions during international deployments.

The U.S. Navy was supported in its winning proposal by Team Seahawk, consisting of MH-60R airframe manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft, mission systems integrator Lockheed Martin, engine manufacturer GE, sensor supplier Raytheon Corp., and training supplier CAE.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs about 120,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation’s net sales for 2011 were $46.5 billion.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacture, and service. Its parent company, United Technologies Corp., based in Hartford, Conn., provides a broad range of high technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning potential production and sale of helicopters. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in government procurement priorities and practices, budget plans or availability of funding or in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corporation’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

Aviation Week honors maritime helicopter team with multiple awards at its annual dinner

Lockheed Martin’s MH-60 Multi-Year Production Program team took home multiple honors at Aviation Week’s annual Program Excellence Awards ceremony held Nov. 7 in Phoenix. Photo courtesy U.S. Navy.

Aviation Week created its Program Excellence Awards to recognize the hard work it takes to manage and lead complex aerospace and defense programs.

At this year’s Aviation Week awards banquet held in Phoenix on Nov. 7, Lockheed Martin’s MH-60 Multi-Year Production Program team showed it has what it takes to manage a complex program, taking home multiple honors.

The MH-60 team won the Program Excellence Award for System Level Production Programs. The team also was received Best Practice Awards in cost estimating and analysis/should-cost and supply chain collaboration/integration.

The Navy is streamlining its helicopter fleet by replacing six existing models with two, the MH-60R and the MH-60S. So far, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 123 of the planned 300 MH-60Rs.

The MH-60R, commonly referred to as the Romeo, features an array of sophisticated sensors and mission systems, including secure cryptographic radio, satellite and data communications, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) imaging and the latest airborne low-frequency sonar.

In operation since 2006, the MH-60R is the Navy’s most advanced anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopter and also performs search and rescue, vertical replenishment, naval surface fire support, medical evacuation, and communications and data relay missions.

Lockheed Martin provides the digital cockpit common to the MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters, while Sikorsky manufactures the airframe. The companies have co-developed and delivered helicopters for the U.S. Navy for more than 35 years.

Rotor & Wing, Nov. 7, 2012

Jax Air News, August 1, 2012

U.S. maritime helicopter on deployment to multi-national force gathers intel that leads to ship’s rescue

Pirates are finding that merchant ships off the African coast are no longer easy marks.

International cooperative initiatives such as the Combined Task Force (CTF) 151 – a multi-national naval operation formed by the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) in 2009 – have helped reduce the number of vessels hijacked by pirates.  According to NATO, pirates succeeded in capturing only four vessels in 2011, compared to 26 in both 2009 and 2010.

The counter-piracy benefits of international cooperation were on display again in May during a two-week deployment of U.S. Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 77, Detachment 5 and its MH-60 R helicopters aboard the CTF 151’s flagship, the United Kingdom’s Royal Fleet Auxiliary’s Fort Victoria.

On May 11, the Fort Victoria received information about the hijacking of a merchant ship in the southern portion of the North Arabian Sea. An HSM-77 MH-60R helicopter was dispatched to gather critical data and intelligence that enabled a coalition boarding party to rescue the hijacked ship later that day, according to a U.S. Navy web article.

“(HSM-77’s) presence… aboard RFA Fort Victoria was a major milestone for the squadron, and contributed significantly toward U.S.-U.K. interoperability in the area of responsibility,” said Cmdr. Brent Gaut, HSM-77 commanding officer, in the Navy article. “This marked the first time a U.S. Navy MH-60R detachment embarked on a Royal Navy vessel and further cemented the bond with our coalition partner navies.”

The deployment provided Fort Victoria with an enhanced surface search capability for its counter-piracy mission, and showed that U.S. Navy helicopter squadrons can successfully operate from foreign vessels.

Lockheed Martin integrates the mission systems and sensors aboard the Sikorsky-built MH-60R, including the Common Cockpit Avionics Suite, which it shares with its sibling, the MH-60S “Sierra.”  The world’s most advanced maritime helicopter, the MH-60R serves as the U.S. Navy’s primary anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface weapon system for open ocean and littoral waters.

Aviation Today, May 29, 2012