WEST PALM BEACH, Fla., May, 17,
2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter
achieved first flight today at Sikorsky's West Palm Beach, Florida site, an important
step toward bringing this all-new aircraft to service members to
perform critical search and rescue operations. The aircraft,
developed by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company (NYSE: LMT) and
based on the proven UH-60M Black Hawk, is customized for the U.S.
Air Force 's rescue mission and will ensure the Air Force fulfills
its mission to leave no one behind.
View the video.
Total flight time was approximately 1.2 hours and included hover
control checks, low speed flight, and a pass of the
airfield.
"This achievement is yet another vital step toward a low rate
initial production decision and getting this much-needed aircraft
and its advanced capabilities to the warfighter," said Dana Fiatarone, vice president, Sikorsky Army
& Air Force Systems. "We are very pleased with the results of
today's flight and look forward to a productive and informative
flight test program."
Today's flight paves the way for a Milestone C production
decision in September 2019, per the
original baseline schedule, to which both Sikorsky and the Air
Force are committed. A second HH-60W helicopter is expected to
enter flight test next week, with a third and fourth aircraft
entering flight test this summer. These aircraft will provide
critical data over the course of the program which will enable the
Air Force to make an informed production decision.
"The HH-60W's first flight is the culmination of significant
development and design advances. We are excited to now move forward
to begin full aircraft system qualification via the flight test
program," said Greg Hames, director
of the Combat Rescue Helicopter program. "Together with the Air
Force, our team is motivated and committed to advancing this
program and delivering this superior aircraft to our airmen and
women."
The HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter is significantly more
capable and reliable than its predecessor, the HH-60G Pave Hawk.
The aircraft hosts a new fuel system that nearly doubles the
capacity of the internal tank on a UH-60M Black Hawk, giving the
Air Force crew extended range and more capability to rescue those
injured in the battle space. The HH-60W specification drives more
capable defensive systems, vulnerability reduction, weapons,
cyber-security, environmental, and net-centric requirements than
currently held by the HH-60G.
"With the Combat Rescue Helicopter's successful first flight now
behind us, we look forward to completion of Sikorsky's flight test
program, operational testing and production of this aircraft to
support the Air Force's critical rescue mission," said Edward Stanhouse, Chief, U.S. Air Force
Helicopter Program Office. "Increased survivability is key and we
greatly anticipate the added capabilities this aircraft will
provide."
The U.S. Air Force program of record calls for 113 helicopters
to replace the Pave Hawks, which perform critical combat search and
rescue and personnel recovery operations for all U.S. military
services. A total of nine aircraft will be built at Sikorsky's
Stratford, Connecticut, facility
during the Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase
of the program ― four EMD aircraft and five System Demonstration
Test Articles (SDTA).
For more information, visit www.lockheedmartin.com/crh.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a
global security and aerospace company that employs approximately
105,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and
services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin