Sikorsky has been awarded a contract by U.S. Air Force to develop a new combat search and rescue helicopter.
The $1.28 billion contract for the initial Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase of the new combat rescue helicopter was awarded on June 26. Sikorsky will develop the rescue helo based on its legendry UH-60M BLACK HAWK helicopter.
The contract includes development and integration of the rescue mission systems; delivery of four Combat Rescue Helicopters; as well as seven aircrew and maintainer training systems.
The contract will eventually lead to production of up to 112 helos with a potential value of approximately $7.9 billion.
USAF announced in 2010 that it would replace its aging HH-60G PAVE HAWK helicopters. Sikorsky partnered Lockheed Martin as the major subsystems supplier, offered the UH-60M derivative, with first deliveries in 2020.
The aircraft features increased internal fuel capability, compared with today’s HH-60G helicopter, thereby giving the CRH-60 the required range, while increasing its internal cabin space.
Like the UH-60M helicopter, the aircraft will feature T700-GE-701D turboshaft engines, composite wide-chord main rotor blades, and fatigue- and corrosion-resistant machined aero-structures to sustain maneuverability at high density altitudes.
Sikorsky has produced more than 700 H-60M BLACK HAWK helicopters for the U.S. government and militaries worldwide, since production aircraft deliveries began in 2007.
