Defense Procurement News » combat search and rescue

Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin Team to Jointly Pursue U.S. Air Force’s HH-60 Recap Helicopter Program

Jeffrey Bradford — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 21:13:00 +0000

Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin Team to Jointly Pursue U.S. Air Force's HH-60 Recap Helicopter Program
July 15, 2010

Washington, - Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), and Lockheed Martin Corp. (NYSE: LMT) will compete jointly for the contract to replace the U.S. Air Force's fleet of combat search and rescue helicopters.

The two companies signed a teaming agreement formalizing their intent to offer an advanced version of Sikorsky's UH-60M BLACK HAWK helicopter for the Air Force's HH-60 Personnel Recovery Recapitalization program (HH-60 Recap). The agreement positions Sikorsky as prime contractor, with Lockheed Martin as the major subsystems supplier.

The HH-60 Recap program seeks to replace the 112 existing HH-60G PAVE HAWK(TM) helicopter fleet with an equal number of new aircraft requiring minimum airframe modification or mission systems development. The initial operational capability of eight aircraft -- four trainers and four mission-ready aircraft, plus test aircraft -- is expected in fiscal year 2015.

"Our team has the resources and experience to rapidly deliver the proven UH-60M airframe design with mature situational awareness sensors and mission systems," said Scott Starrett, president of Sikorsky Military Systems. "We believe a UH-60M aircraft missionized for the complexities of the combat search and rescue mission will fit seamlessly into established Air Force training and logistics operations, thus providing a fiscally responsible and reliable platform for rescue operations."

Sikorsky submitted a response to the U.S. Air Force's HH-60 Recap request for information on April 23. The document details how the UH-60M helicopter would be manufactured and integrated as a low-risk, off-the-shelf solution for the combat search and rescue mission.

Operational with the U.S. Army (including as a medevac helicopter in the HH-60M configuration), the UH-60M features a strengthened airframe, wider rotor blades and more powerful engines than earlier-design BLACK HAWK helicopters. Sikorsky has delivered 200 'M' model helicopters to the U.S. Army since 2005.

Lockheed Martin has provided integrated avionics and mission systems for other H-60 aircraft, including U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force special operations helicopters, and Air Force combat rescue helicopters. Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin also have a well established working relationship over 38 years, delivering more than 400 SH-60B and MH-60R/S mission-ready aircraft to the U.S. Navy.

"Lockheed Martin has 25 years of experience integrating mission systems for special operations and combat rescue helicopters," said Dan Spoor, vice president of Lockheed Martin Aviation Systems. "We also can bring to the HH-60 Recap program the mature systems and readiness from our work on the prior CSAR-X competition."

In April, the companies announced a teaming agreement to compete jointly for the U.S. Navy's revived VXX Presidential Helicopter program. The companies will share facilities, experience and engineering talent for both opportunities.

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Helicopter, Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)

First Lockheed Martin/USAF HC-130J Combat Rescue Tanker Rolls out

Jeffrey Bradford — Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:05:00 +0000

First Lockheed Martin/USAF HC-130J Combat Rescue Tanker Rolls out
April 19, 2010 3:29 PM

MARIETTA, Ga., --Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) rolled out the first of a new fleet of HC-130J combat rescue tankers for the U.S. Air Force's Air Combat Command (ACC) during a ceremony here today. Maj. Gen. Thomas K. Andersen, director of requirements, Headquarters ACC, spoke at the ceremony.

"Personnel recovery is one of the Air Force's core missions and vital to what we do in defense of America. The mission is demanding and we are grateful to those [employees] of Lockheed Martin assembled here that have given us a world-class aircraft ready for the demands of the mission," Andersen said. "The HC-130J will enable us to meet the expanding operational tasks that we face today - wartime operations in Operation Enduring Freedom and the Horn of Africa, and relief operations in the continental United States as well as in areas like Haiti and Chile. For that, ACC, the Air Force and the nation thank you."

Lockheed Martin is contracted with the U.S. Air Force to build 21 C130J Super Hercules to replace aging fleets of combat search and rescue HC-130s and special operations MC130s. The U.S. Air Force is authorized to acquire up to 31 HC/MC130Js (11 HCs and 20 MCs).

"Yet again, we see the C-130 setting new standards for mission flexibility," said Ross Reynolds, Lockheed Martin vice president for C-130 programs. "This new configuration of the proven C-130J will give ACC unparalleled capability for combat search and rescue. As demand for the C-130J continues to grow around the world, we will see more ways this aircraft can meet the demands of any operator and mission."

The new aircraft, which is based on a KC-130J tanker baseline, will have the Enhanced Service Life Wing, Enhanced Cargo Handling System, a Universal Aerial Refueling Receptacle Slipway Installation (boom refueling receptacle), an electro-optical/infrared sensor, a combat systems operator station on the flight deck, and provisions for the large aircraft infrared countermeasures system. In-line production of this configuration reduces cost and risk, and meets the required 2012 initial operational capability.

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C-130 Hercules, Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT)

Time to Move On

Boeing United States Tanker — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:55:56 +0000

Boeing's emphasis since Day One of the renewed KC-X competition has been on clarity -- in the process as well as in Boeing's approach to the bid process. That brings us to this question of pricing data from the last campaign. Perhaps we can put this distracting side issue to rest and get on with the process of arriving at the final requirements and evaluation criteria that will enable the Air Force to flawlessly choose the right tanker at the best value.

It's been said that our competitor has been disadvantaged due to the release of their pricing data from the last competition. The fact is, during that previous acquisition effort the U.S. Government followed the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and released limited price information from the successful offerer. More specifically, the FAR mandates that the price of the awarded contract be made publicly available upon request. This is how the system works to protect the American taxpayer and keep the award of billions of defense dollars honest.

Simply put, when you win a contract you expect details to become public along with details of the decision that are shared with the team that was not awarded the contract. And there's no requirement for the government to share the losing bidder's proprietary pricing information with the winner or the public. Indeed, when Boeing won the competition to build the new U.S. Air Force combat search-and-rescue helicopter the post-award process followed this same regulatory requirement.

What you may be unaware of is that on August 20, 2008, to ensure that every effort was made to "level the playing field" in a new competition, the government released consistent KC-X pricing information to both sides. In other words, the Department of Defense has already handed over a comparative amount of Boeing's pricing data from the previous KC-X competition.

The Air Force has said repeatedly that this old data is no longer relevant for either side in the renewed competition. Meanwhile, others continue to contend that their ability to win is dependent on this rather than on simply offering the best proposal that meets the Air Force's new requirements. We are confident that at the end of this process next summer the contract award will be based on that rather than on any special treatment given to one competitor over another.