Australia is planning to replace its existing 16 S-70B-2 Seahawks and the surface attack capability which was to be presented by the now cancelled Kaman Super Seasprites.
If they win the contest, bidders say the MH-60R will be acquired by Australia though the US Foreign Military Sales process and it will be the first time local industry participation is being worked with an FMS case.
Employment and business opportunities will extend across the five Team Romeo partners: MH-60R airframe manufacturer Sikorsky; mission systems integrator and cockpit provider Lockheed Martin; engine supplier General Electric; acoustic sonar and imaging sensors provider Raytheon; and CAE, which builds the pilot training simulators.
Working with the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR), and the state governments in Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales, Team Romeo interviewed more than 40 companies in Melbourne, Brisbane and Sydney, between 13 and 15 April.
Team Romeo is looking for specialty Australian companies that can modify, upgrade and provide logistics support to Royal Australian Navy specifications over the aircraft fleet's 30-year life.
"The MH-60R will require both near-term manufacturing and long-term maintenance support from Australian industry," Chris Clapperton, general manager of business development with Sikorsky, said.
Australian enterprises have the potential to participate on the Romeo program supporting cockpit avionics, network centric warfare, engine repair, airframe refurbishment and remanufacture, training and equipment maintenance, as well as other logistics support.
Details of the Australian Industrial Capability plan were given to the ADF in October 2009 with details of this plan coming together as the tender process progresses.