The US Navy has identified the industry performers that will advance to the first phase of a collaboration focused on developing an open-systems, tailorable architecture to modernize the MH-60 Seahawk helicopter and extend its service life.
Led by the H-60 Multi-Mission Helicopter program office, in a joint cooperative effort with the Royal Australian Navy, the prototype project will simultaneously modernize the MH-60 avionics and mission system architecture while resolving multiple obsolescence issues.
The project is designed to deliver a platform that can rapidly respond to emerging threats, adapt to new fleet requirements and support MH-60 sustainment through the 2050 timeframe. Through collaborative digital engineering and open-system design, this joint effort strengthens US and allied maritime forces' ability to outpace emerging global threats for decades to come.
The US Navy is using an other transaction authority agreement through the Naval Aviation Systems Consortium to engage industry partners in three key roles.
Sierra Nevada Corp. was selected as the lead aircraft integrator for the MH-60S, responsible for physical and structural integration. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems will perform the same role for the MH-60R.
Rockwell Collins and Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems were selected as segment lead integrators for the flight-critical avionics segment and digital backbone system. Their responsibilities include hardware and software architecture design, interface management and system-level software integration.
Technology Security Associates was selected as the third-party integrator for open-system verification. The company will support the navy in assessing how the segment integrators implement a modular open systems approach, including through open-system verification demonstrations.
This does not constitute formal contract or agreement awards, which remain contingent upon successful negotiation and finalization of the Phase 1 statements of work, according to the officials.
Under this phased acquisition approach, Phase 1 will focus on the preliminary flight-critical avionics segment and the digital backbone system design, establishing the collaborative digital engineering environment and characterizing the baseline aircraft through physical integration, structural modification, A-kit fabrication, and preparation for aircraft-level testing. Phase 2 will focus on prototype development and verification activities.
The MH-60R specializes in antisubmarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare, and command and control. The MH-60S is used for performing antisurface warfare, combat search and rescue, special warfare support and airborne mine countermeasures.