Sikorsky, October 25, 1999 - STRATFORD, Conn. - The initial lot of US Navy CH-60S fleet combat support helicopters is on the Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation production line, with the first two aircraft scheduled for delivery in December 1999.
Sikorsky was awarded a firm-fixed price contract of $67.4 million for the first lot of CH-60S aircraft in September 1999. The contract procures the initial five aircraft with an option for one additional helicopter plus engineering and logistic support services.
Lot I CH-60S deliveries are expected to continue until June 2000. A follow-on contract award for 17 Lot II aircraft is expected early next year for deliveries from July 2000 to June 2001.
The Navy has a procurement objective of more than 200 CH-60S aircraft. The Lot I contract marks a return of US Navy production at Sikorsky. Navy H-60 deliveries came to a close in late 1996 with the successful fulfillment of Navy Seahawk helicopter requirements.
The CH-60 is an amalgam of the Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopter and its Seahawk variant. It is a baseline Blackhawk configuration with Naval Hawk Engines, rotor system and dynamics, including the Seahawk 's automatic rotor blade folding system, folding tail pylon, an improved durability gearbox, rotor brake and automatic flight computer. The CH-60 will also feature a glass cockpit developed to ensure commonality with the SH-60R.
The Blackhawk airframe provides the larger cabin volume and double-door feature needed for cargo and passenger transport. Also from Blackhawk, the CH-60 will retain provisions for mounting the External Stores Support System (ESSS). This will offer a wide range of weapon and fuel tank options that will be very useful for a wide range of missions, including search and rescue (SAR).
The robust CH-60 retains the Blackhawk 9,000 pound external cargo capacity and mounts a Seahawk rescue hoist for SAR missions.
In April 1997, the Navy awarded Sikorsky a contract to build a CH-60 helicopter demonstrator to verify the design concept. A joint Navy-Sikorsky crew conducted a shipboard demonstration in the YCH-60 later that year.
Versatility is the basic design concept of the CH-60 helicopter, which will be called upon for naval operations including Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Vertical On-board Delivery (VOD), amphibious and carrier search and Rescue (SAR), and remote site logistics missions. The Navy is expected to capitalize on CH-60S capabilities by expanding into future missions areas such as Airborne Mine Counter Measures, Combat Search and Rescue, Special Warfare Support, utilizing a variety of mission systems.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation pioneered the helicopter industry and is a world leader in helicopter design and manufacturing. United Technologies Corporation provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services.
Sikorsky was awarded a firm-fixed price contract of $67.4 million for the first lot of CH-60S aircraft in September 1999. The contract procures the initial five aircraft with an option for one additional helicopter plus engineering and logistic support services.
Lot I CH-60S deliveries are expected to continue until June 2000. A follow-on contract award for 17 Lot II aircraft is expected early next year for deliveries from July 2000 to June 2001.
The Navy has a procurement objective of more than 200 CH-60S aircraft. The Lot I contract marks a return of US Navy production at Sikorsky. Navy H-60 deliveries came to a close in late 1996 with the successful fulfillment of Navy Seahawk helicopter requirements.
The CH-60 is an amalgam of the Sikorsky Blackhawk helicopter and its Seahawk variant. It is a baseline Blackhawk configuration with Naval Hawk Engines, rotor system and dynamics, including the Seahawk 's automatic rotor blade folding system, folding tail pylon, an improved durability gearbox, rotor brake and automatic flight computer. The CH-60 will also feature a glass cockpit developed to ensure commonality with the SH-60R.
The Blackhawk airframe provides the larger cabin volume and double-door feature needed for cargo and passenger transport. Also from Blackhawk, the CH-60 will retain provisions for mounting the External Stores Support System (ESSS). This will offer a wide range of weapon and fuel tank options that will be very useful for a wide range of missions, including search and rescue (SAR).
The robust CH-60 retains the Blackhawk 9,000 pound external cargo capacity and mounts a Seahawk rescue hoist for SAR missions.
In April 1997, the Navy awarded Sikorsky a contract to build a CH-60 helicopter demonstrator to verify the design concept. A joint Navy-Sikorsky crew conducted a shipboard demonstration in the YCH-60 later that year.
Versatility is the basic design concept of the CH-60 helicopter, which will be called upon for naval operations including Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Vertical On-board Delivery (VOD), amphibious and carrier search and Rescue (SAR), and remote site logistics missions. The Navy is expected to capitalize on CH-60S capabilities by expanding into future missions areas such as Airborne Mine Counter Measures, Combat Search and Rescue, Special Warfare Support, utilizing a variety of mission systems.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation pioneered the helicopter industry and is a world leader in helicopter design and manufacturing. United Technologies Corporation provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services.
See also |
Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk
Seahawk in
US Navy 
