SH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter Conducts First Contractor Flight Test
OWEGO, NY, June 28th, 2000 -- The Lockheed Martin engineered SH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter has successfully completed the first in a series of contractor test flights at the Naval Air Warfare Center, Patuxent River, Md. The first test flight was completed on one of two prototype aircraft that are at Patuxent River for developmental and contractor testing. "The initial test flight is another example of exceptional teamwork between the U.S. Navy and Lockheed Martin," said Jim Hargrave, vice president of Lockheed Martin Owego's Helo Systems business area. "We are working together to provide the U.S. Navy with an eagerly awaited, significant upgrade to their fleet's capability."
The initial testing of the first two SH-60R prototypes will be conducted by Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 1, (VX-1) and the Naval Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Squadron. In addition, Lockheed Martin Owego has a test team of 10 people at the Naval Air Warfare Center to assist in the contractor flight test program. This test phase, to be completed in June 2001, will evaluate performance before the fully remanufactured production test models arrive. Lockheed Martin Owego is currently under contract for four SH-60R test articles.
These aircraft were originally delivered in the 1980s and are now being remanufactured to add new avionics systems, including the Lockheed Martin-developed H-60 Common Cockpit and a mission system optimized for littoral (coastal) operations. As part of the SH-60R program, Sikorsky, the aircraft manufacturer, will remanufacture the aircraft to extend its life to 2020.
The SH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter program is valued at approximately $2.5 billion and encompasses the upgrade of approximately 243 aircraft through the year 2012. The full Limited Rate Initial Production Lot I decision of five additional aircraft is expected in the near future by the U.S. Navy.
Lockheed Martin Owego is helping the U.S. Navy achieve its goal of fielding the SH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter as the best possible war-fighting system available to fly and fight in high-density, information-intensive, littoral and open-ocean maritime environments. Lockheed Martin is the prime contractor with total responsibility to oversee all systems integration efforts.
Lockheed Martin's Electronics Platform Integration business segment is a leader in providing advanced-technology products, services and systems integration solutions for defense, civil and commercial customers worldwide. With major facilities in Owego, N.Y.; Springfield, Va.; Kanata, Canada; and Portsmouth, United Kingdom, Electronics Platform Integration is a unit of Lockheed Martin Corporation with headquarters in Bethesda, Md.
Carolyn Handrick, 607.751.2598email: carolyn.handrick@lmco.com
Michael Drake, 607.751.2598; email: mike.drake@lmco.com
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