The U.S. Navy has awarded a $1.05 billion contract to Lockheed Martin Corp. (IW 500: 25) to provide cockpits and mission systems for Navy helicopters.
The five-year contract calls for Lockheed Martin to supply more than 200 digital cockpits and integrated mission systems and sensors for the Navy MH-60R Romeo and MH-60S Sierra helicopters, according to Bethesda, Md.-based Lockheed Martin.
The contract includes 162 cockpits, integrated missions systems and sensors for MH-60R Romeo -- an anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare helicopter.
The contract also funds 62 digital cockpits to complete the Navy's program of record for Sierra aircraft. The Sierra is used for ship-to-ship cargo resupply, search and rescue, and close-in defense of Navy ships.
The company noted that multiyear contracts such as this one "must meet rigorous criteria before being approved by Congress, including being able to demonstrate double-digit cost savings."
"This contract award ensures uninterrupted, on-time deliveries of the MH-60R and MH-60S helicopter to the U.S. 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% 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, N.Y.
Both aircraft are designed and manufactured by Stratford, Conn.-based Sikorsky Aircraft.
