The Navy has identified industry performers for the first phase of a major modernization effort on its MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters. The project will update avionics and mission systems while addressing multiple obsolescence issues, with the goal of sustaining the aircraft into the 2050s.
The H-60 Multi-Mission Helicopter program office is leading the work in cooperation with the Royal Australian Navy. Officials say the effort is designed to create a more adaptable and cost-effective platform that can respond to new threats and evolving fleet needs.
Under an Other Transaction Authority agreement managed through the Naval Aviation Systems Consortium, several companies have been selected for key roles. Sierra Nevada Corporation will handle physical and structural integration for the MH-60S variant. Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems will perform the same role for the MH-60R.
Rockwell Collins and Lockheed Martin were named segment lead integrators for the flight-critical avionics and digital backbone systems. Their work will cover hardware and software architecture, interface management and system-level software integration. Technology Security Associates will serve as a third-party integrator to help the government assess how modular open systems approaches are implemented and to support verification demonstrations.
These selections do not yet represent formal contract awards. Final agreements depend on successful negotiation of Phase 1 statements of work.
Phase 1 will focus on preliminary design of the flight-critical avionics and digital backbone, establishing a collaborative digital engineering environment, baseline aircraft characterization, structural modifications, and preparation for testing. Phase 2 will move into prototype development and verification.
The MH-60R is primarily used for antisubmarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare and command and control. The MH-60S supports antisurface warfare, combat search and rescue, special warfare and airborne mine countermeasures.
By applying modular open systems standards and digital engineering practices, the Navy aims to keep the Sea Hawk fleet capable for decades while also creating architecture that can transfer to future vertical lift programs.
