The Indian Navy’s first Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter has conducted its maiden flight from Lockheed Martin’s Owego site in New York. India Navy will receive a total of 24 aircraft. Lockheed Martin company Sikorsky Aircraft is under contract to produce the MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission naval helicopter. It was carried out at Lockheed Martin’s Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) plant.
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). Offensive capabilities are improved by the addition of new Mk-54 air-launched torpedoes and Hellfire missiles.
In May 2020, Lockheed unit Sikorsky signed a $905 million contract with the US Navy to produce 24 MH-60Rs. Twenty-one of the rotorcraft were earmarked for the Indian navy under the auspices of the Foreign Military Sales process, and three for the US Navy (USN). At the time, Sikorsky said the first Indian delivery was anticipated in the spring of 2021. The three USN helicopters were to aid accelerated training for Indian personnel.
The MH-60R deal will be conducted under the US government’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process. The DSCA package includes the 24 helicopters as well as weapons, sensors, support equipment, and services that are consistent with a high-end ASW and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capability. Weapons include AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS) rockets, Mk54 torpedoes, and two-types of crew served guns.
MH-60R: A Global Powerhouse
The first India production aircraft takes flight in Owego, NY. India will receive a total of 24 aircraft. #BZ to the #NAVAIR PMA-299 team on securing three FMS cases in calendar year 2020. Way to #MakeAnImpact! pic.twitter.com/zlRuezYcKB
— NAVAIR (@NAVAIRNews) April 21, 2021
