Lockheed Martin Corp., Owego, New York, is awarded a $447,230,778 firm-fixed-price order (N0001921F0841) against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N0001921G0017). This order provides for the production and delivery of 12 MH-60R Seahawk helicopter for the government of the Republic of Korea Navy. Foreign Military Sales funds in the amount of $447,230,778 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The U.S. Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.
In July 2009, the Republic of Korea requested eight MH-60S helicopters, 16 GE T700-401C engines, and related sensor systems to be sold in a Foreign Military Sale. However, South Korea instead chose the AW159 in January 2013. But the change in government there in January 2011 may interfere with an order. On December 22, 2020, an announcement was made that 12 MH-60R Seahawk maritime operational helicopters would be purchased. The Korean military’s recent decision to buy helicopters from Lockheed Martin is widely seen as a diplomatic choice favorable to U.S..
The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk (or Sea Hawk) is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The MH-60R was originally known as “LAMPS Mark III Block II Upgrade” when development began in 1993 with Lockheed Martin (formerly IBM/Loral). The production variant was redesignated MH-60R to match its multi-mission capability. The MH-60R was formally deployed by the US Navy in 2006.
Anti-Submarine Warfare and Surface Warfare are the MH-60R’s primary missions. Secondary missions include Search and Rescue, Vertical Replenishment, Naval Surface Fire Support, logistics support, personnel transport, Medical Evacuation, and VHF/UHF/Link Communication Relay. Offensive capabilities are improved by the addition of new Mk-54 air-launched torpedoes and Hellfire missiles. All Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light (HSL) squadrons that receive the Romeo are redesignated Helicopter, Strike Maritime (HSM) squadrons.
