Supplementing Jayhawks And Replacing Smaller MH-65 Variants

The U.S. Coast Guard will be getting a new version of the Sikorsky H-60 helicopter based on the MH-60R Seahawk that is deployed by the U.S. Navy and other armed forces around the world. The new helos will be used to initially supplement the service’s aging MH-60T Jayhawks and to bolster its capabilities by eventually replacing its smaller MH-65 helicopters.

The Coast Guard is under the purview of the Department of Homeland Security rather than the Department of War, but it and the Navy have a long history of collaborating on helicopter-related and other programs. That is relevant here because the Naval Air Systems Command earlier had issued a contract notice of its intention to award Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems a sole source contract to design and produce an undisclosed number of MH-60R variant aircraft for the Coast Guard.

Lockheed Martin is the parent company of Sikorsky, the prime contractor for the H-60 family of helicopters.

The Navy, in a statement relayed to media, said, “The Coast Guard anticipates new aircraft procurements may be based off Sikorsky’s MH-60R aircraft, which is the maritime variant of the H-60 in active production. Differences between the MH-60T and in-production MH-60R will be addressed with Sikorsky to ensure Coast Guard aircraft are delivered with the appropriate capabilities for Coast Guard missions.”

The Coast Guard has approximately 45 MH-60T helicopters in inventory stationed around the U.S. The service also has cutters including the newest and most capable Legend-class, capable of supporting helicopter operations.

FMI:  www.uscg.mil/