The US Navy recently awarded Lockheed Martin a $1.05 billion, five-year contract to provide more than 200 digital cockpits and integrated mission systems and sensors for the Navy MH-60R “Romeo” and MH-60S “Sierra” helicopters.

Specifically, the new multi-year contract includes 162 cockpits, integrated missions systems and sensors for MH-60R “Romeo,” an anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare helicopter. It also funds 62 digital cockpits to complete the Navy’s programme of record for Sierra aircraft, used for ship-to-ship cargo resupply, search and rescue, and close-in defence of Navy ships.

“This contract award ensures uninterrupted, on-time deliveries of the MH-60R and MH-60S helicopter to the US Navy fleet,” said Dan Spoor, Vice President of aviation systems for Lockheed Martin’s Mission Systems & Sensors business. “Plus the multi-year structure, versus an annual contract, allows us to provide our customer with more than 10 per cent savings annually, surpassing Pentagon cost predictions.”

Lockheed Martin provides the digital cockpit common to the MH-60R and MH-60S, and integrates the mission systems and sensors aboard the MH-60R helicopter in Owego, New York. Both aircraft are designed and manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft, Stratford, Connecticut.