The SH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter Upgrade entered EMD in FY93 and combined the mission functions of the predecessor SH-60B and SH-60F baseline aircraft. A series of cost, budget, and technical issues have prompted program restructures. On May 14, 1999, ASN(RDA) issued an Acquisition Decision Memorandum (ADM) that approved exit criteria for the first three SH-60R LRIP lots in FY00, FY01, and FY02. The ADM also designated two of the LRIP lot 1 aircraft to be used as test aircraft and approved exit criteria for full-rate production. The current program consists of four phases. Phase one installs the ALFS, UYS-2A acoustic processor, displays, and control key sets in a SH-60B test aircraft and focuses both DT and OT on mechanical dipping performance of the ALFS system. Limited acoustic performance will be tested due to the immaturity of the acoustic system's development software. ALFS DT completed in late June 1999 and OT is scheduled October-November 1999. Phase two of the program consists of DT and DT Assist on the two prototype SH-60R test aircraft starting in December 1999 and continuing through the late March 2000 LRIP-1 decision milestone. Full functional capability of the Common Cockpit, MMR, and acoustic system will not be available due to software development schedules. ESM, ISD, and weapons systems will not be installed during this phase. Phase three testing will include all MMR operating modes, additional acoustic modes, and ESM. This phase consists of combined DT/OT and independent OT test periods, results of which will support the March 2001 LRIP-2 decision. During Phase four the SH-60R test aircraft will be fully functional and undergo concurrent TECHEVAL with ALFS from August 2001-March 2002 in support of the LRIP-3 decision. Concurrent OPEVAL of SH-60R and ALFS will follow, in support the October 2002 SH-60R Milestone III decision.

The Hellfire missile Integration Program Upgrade to the SH-60B and HH-60H aircraft was designated for LFT&E in March 1995. Extensive ballistic testing had been conducted on the H-60 series of helicopters during development and later under the Joint Live Fire Program. A waiver from full-up, system level testing was granted in July 1996. The LFT&E Alternative Plan for the SH-60B and HH-60H included an evaluation of the vulnerability of these H-60 variants based on those past tests. The SH-60R variant was specifically identified as a "covered" upgrade in January 1998. The Navy determined that the waiver granted to the SH-60B and HH-60H aircraft did not apply to the SH-60R, and that a separate waiver must be requested. Since the SH-60R program is currently in EMD, the Acquisition Executive is precluded from granting a waiver without first obtaining legislative relief from the requirement that waivers must be granted prior to a program entering EMD.

Developmental Testing-level tests, focused on the mechanical features of the acoustic system installed in the SH-60B, occurred during FY99. Preliminary findings from the 24 test flights and 133 transducer dips indicate residual reel optical marker faults, intermittent transducer timing problems, cable-drum mis-wraps on take-up, and acoustic processor software freeze problems. Resolution of these problems is underway and the commencement of OT will depend on determination of corrective actions.

Limited stand-alone DT-level testing of the MMR in the prototype SH-60R resulted in a successful demonstration that the system could form ISAR images and detect targets in the long-range search mode. OT-level testing has not occurred during FY99.

The Navy completed the SH-60B and HH-60H vulnerability evaluation and DOT&E is currently reviewing it. DOT&E is writing a LFT&E report to Congress based on this analysis. Efforts on the SH-60R are just starting. The SH-60R TEMP with attached Alternative LFT&E Plan is being revised to reflect the May 1999 ADM. The Alternative LFT&E Plan includes a review of aircraft modifications to determine whether they pose the potential to significantly change aircraft vulnerability and whether additional LFT will be required. The Navy is pursuing a waiver from full-up, system-level live fire testing; however, legislative relief is needed to allow a waiver since this program has entered EMD.

SH-60R programmatic and schedule changes during the MMR, ALFS, and Common Cockpit system development, have made it difficult to finalize a TEMP. However, the Program Manager has been forthright in reporting technical and schedule issues to the Systems Test IPT to facilitate test plan adjustments. Combined CT and DT, as well as combined DT and OT, are also being planned wherever feasible.