The
U.S. Navy received its 200th submarine-hunting MH-60R “Romeo”
helicopter from Lockheed Martin following a patch signing with Helicopter
Maritime Strike Squadron Seven-Two (HSM-72). The cornerstone of the
U.S. Navy’s anti-surface and anti-submarine operations, MH-60R
helicopters have flown more than 250,000 hours in operation with the
Fleet, providing increased surveillance and situational awareness. |
“We
are proud to continue supporting the U.S. Navy by delivering a multi-role
aircraft with a game-changing sensor suite that shifts the advantage
from the submarine to the helicopter,” said Dan Spoor, vice president
of Aviation and Unmanned Systems for Lockheed Martin’s Mission
Systems and Training business. “As surface and submarine warfare
becomes increasingly complex, the MH-60R’s capabilities are unmatched
in identifying, locating, tracking and prosecuting these threats.”
Manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Corp and provided with advanced mission
systems and sensors by Lockheed Martin, the MH-60R employs a modular
design, which refers to the ability to modify weapon systems to match
specific mission requirements. The modularity gives this single platform
the agility to provide greater surveillance and flexibility to the Fleet,
tailored for the mission. Aboard the MH-60R, sensor data is integrated
into actionable information for the three-member crew. The mission systems
compile data from onboard and offboard sensors to create an integrated
picture that enhances decision-making.
Secondary missions include search and rescue, vertical replenishment,
naval surface fire support, logistics support, personnel transport,
medical evacuation, and very high frequency, ultra high frequency link
communication relay.
The U.S. Navy is projected to acquire 291 MH-60R helicopters. The Lockheed
Martin-Sikorsky team has also delivered five of 24 aircraft to the Royal
Australian Navy and began production for the Royal Danish Navy, which
will acquire nine aircraft. |
