Aviation Today, May 29, 2012

Shephard Media, May 23, 2012

Strategy Page, May 2, 2012

Military & Aerospace Electronics, April 22, 2012

For past four months, HSM-77 aviation techs maintain Romeo helicopters at 100 percent mission capable status

HSM 77 Aviation electronics technicians on the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln have maintained the MH-60R maritime helicopters at 100 percent mission capable status for the past four months.

When the U.S. Fifth Fleet faces trouble from surface ships or submarines, it relies on Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM)- 77 and its MH-60R Seahawks  to keep it out of harm’s way.

To ensure the helicopters can answer the call to duty, the squadron relies on its aviation electronics technicians (ATs). For the past four months during its deployment aboard the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln, HSM- 77 ATs have maintained the MH-60R maritime helicopters at 100 percent mission capable status.

“In order for us to successfully execute our primary missions, our aircraft must be 100 percent mission capable, and our aviation electronic technicians play a critical role in ensuring our aircraft combat readiness,” said Cmdr. Brent Gaut, HSM-77’s commanding officer. “Our platform and its mission systems are AT-intensive; it is crucial our ATs maintain a robust level of knowledge and subject matter expertise in order to effectively address time-critical malfunctions.”

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.

Since deploying in December 2011 with Carrier Air Wing 2, HSM- 77 has flown more than 450 sorties from the Lincoln while navigating through the Strait of Hormuz and supporting Operation Enduring Freedom in the Arabian Sea. During that time, no flights have been cancelled due to mission system failures.

Lockheed Martin integrates the MH-60R’s electronics and other systems, including the Common Cockpit Avionics Suite – the Romeo’s nerve center. Sikorsky manufactures the airframe. 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.

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.

AvStop.com, April 9, 2012

Military & Aerospace Electronics, April 6, 2012

Flightglobal, April 5, 2012

New contract lowers the cost of mission systems and sensors for MH-60R, MH-60S helicopters

Lockheed Martin will deliver more than 200 Common Cockpits for the MH-60R and MH-60 S multi-mission maritime helicopters as part of a 5-year contract recently awarded by the Navy. Photo courtesy U.S. Navy.

In its continuing effort toward increased affordability, the U.S. Navy is taking an approach similar to big box stores that rely on economies of scale to obtain the best possible price from their vendors.

The Navy recently awarded Lockheed Martin a five-year, $1.05 billion contract for more than 200 digital cockpits and integrated mission systems and sensors for its MH-60 maritime helicopters, securing a lower price in return for a longer term commitment.

“This contract award ensures we will continue to deliver quality aircraft to our U.S. Navy customer on time and on budget,” said Dan Spoor, vice president of aviation systems for Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems & Sensors business. “And the multi-year structure allows us to pass on to our customer more than 10 percent savings versus an annual contract, surpassing Pentagon cost predictions.”

A multi-year procurement contract such as this one must meet rigorous criteria before being approved by Congress, including being able to demonstrate double-digit cost savings.

The Navy is streamlining its helicopter fleet by replacing six existing models with just two, the MH-60R and the MH-60S. So far, Lockheed Martin has delivered more than 123 of the planned 300 MH-60Rs. The recent contract includes purchasing 162 cockpits, integrated missions systems and sensors for the MH-60R anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare helicopter.

In addition, 62 digital cockpits will help complete the Navy’s planned acquisition of 275 MH-60S helicopters, used for ship-to-ship cargo resupply, search and rescue, humanitarian relief and close-in defense of Navy ships.

The award combines the digital cockpits and the integrated mission systems into a single contract. Previously, Lockheed Martin delivered cockpits and mission systems for the Sikorsky-built aircraft under separate contracts.

Lockheed Martin serves as the integrator for the MH-60 Common Cockpit Avionics Suite – the nerve center of the Sierra and Romeo – and other systems, while Sikorsky manufactures the airframe. The companies have co-developed and delivered helicopters for the U.S. Navy for more than 35 years.

SEAPOWER Magazine, April 4, 2012