Breaking news
Norwegian Navy to get 6 Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission helicopters.
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on April 26 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Norway of MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $1 billion.
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U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawks (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)
The Government of Norway has requested to buy six (6) MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters; fifteen (15) T-700-GE-401C engines (12 installed, 3 spares); nine (9) Link 16 Multifunctional Information Distribution Systems Joint Tactical Radio Systems (MIDS JTRS) (6 installed, 3 spares); eighteen (18) Embedded Global Positioning System/Precise Positioning Service (GPS/PPS)/Inertial Navigation Systems (EGI) with Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) (12 installed, 6 spares); and six (6) Airborne Low-Frequency Sonars (ALFS) (aircraft provisions only). Also included are M514 impulse cartridge/cartridge actuated devices; MJ20 cartridge actuated thruster/cartridge actuated devices; WB53 fire extinguisher cartridge/cartridge actuated devices; CCU-136A/A impulse cartridges; GAU-21 crew served guns (including pintle and laser pointer); AN/ARC-210 RT-2036 radios with Communications Security (COMSEC); AN/AAR-47 missile warning systems; AN/APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders; AN/ALE-47 dispensers; Electronic Countermeasures; Advanced Data Transfer Systems (ADTS); AN/AAS-44C(V) Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems; Identification Friend or Foe Mode 4/5 Cryptographic Applique, KIV-78; Joint Mission Planning Systems (JMPS); AN/ARQ-59 Hawklink radio terminals; Training Simulators/Operational Machine Interface Assistants (ATS/OMIA); Aviation Maintenance Weapons Loading Trainer (AMWLT); Tactical Operational Flight Trainer (TOFT); AN/ALQ-210 Electronic Support Measures (ESM) systems; APS-153(V) multi-mode radars; spare engine containers; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; communications equipment; ferry support; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; obsolescence engineering, integration, and test activities required to ensure readiness for the production of the Norwegian MH-60R helicopters; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The total estimated program cost is $1 billion.
The proposed sale will improve Norway’s capability to perform Coast Guard missions along with the ability to perform secondary missions, including vertical replenishment and communications relay.
The principal contractor will be Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems, Owego, New York. Implementation of this proposed sale will require multiple trips by U.S. Government representatives and the assignment of contractor representatives to Norway on an intermittent basis over the life of the case to support the delivery and integration of items and to provide supply support management, inventory control, and equipment familiarization. In addition, there will be up to four (4) contractor representatives in Norway full-time for the duration of the case.
The Sikorsky MH-60 Seahawk is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines rated at 1,425kW. The internal self-sealing fuel tanks have a capacity of 2,230l. MH-60R can climb at a rate of 8.38m/s. The maximum and cruise speed of the helicopter are 267km/h and 168km/h respectively, while the range is 834km. The service ceiling of the helicopter is 3,438m. It weighs around 6,895kg and has a maximum take-off weight of 10,659kg.