Sikorsky
has delivered the 400th MH-60 Seahawk helicopter to the US Navy.
The
milestone consists of 166 MH-60R anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare
helicopters, and 234 MH-60S utility/armed helicopters.
The
US took possession of the 400th, an MH-60R aircraft, on June 24.
"MH-60
multi-mission aircraft are among the most reliable and sophisticated maritime helicopters
in the world," Capt. James Glass, Navy program manager, H-60 programs said.
"The Navy intends to continue flying these helicopters well into the
2030s."
All
but two of the 400 MH-60 Seahawk aircraft delivered to date are operated by the
US Navy. In 2011, the Royal Thai Navy took delivery of two MH-60S helicopters
via the US Government's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
The
US Navy has acquired all MH-60 Seahawk aircraft since 2002 via five-year
contracts. The current 2012-2017 contract funds 193 MH-60R/S Seahawk
helicopters, plus another 24 Romeo helicopters for the Royal Australian Navy.
Actual production quantities will be determined year-by-year over the life of
the program based on funding allocations set by Congress and Pentagon
acquisition priorities.
Sikorsky
will deliver the first four RAN aircraft (before mission systems integration)
during 2013. Additionally, Sikorsky will deliver the first two (of nine) Romeo
aircraft for the Royal Danish Navy during 2014.
US MH-60 Seahawks transport supplies from the Military Sealift Command (MSC) fast combat support ship USNS Arctic.
