The Australian Department of Defence has contracted Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky to continue maintaining the navy’s MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission maritime helicopters.
Valued at 313.5 million Australian dollars ($194.8 million), the effort will include repair, overhaul, and upgrade work to maintain the fleet’s readiness throughout its service life.
Sikorsky will perform the associated tasks at its in-country center in Nowra, New South Wales, for the next three years.
“Our workforce are deeply honoured to partner with the Royal Australian Navy and be continually entrusted with responsibilities in sustaining the Seahawk fleet of aircraft,” Sikorsky Australia General Manager Cliff Kyle remarked.
“This contract is recognition of the important work that has been delivered to-date that underpin the success of Seahawks in the operational theatre.”
The Royal Australian Navy currently operates 23 Seahawks. An additional 13 airframes are expected to be added by the end of 2026 as part of a foreign military sale announced in 2022.
Supporting Local Jobs
The Seahawk sustainment will support 75 new opportunities, 20 apprenticeships, and 200 existing roles across Nowra.
“This contract is an important milestone in maintaining readiness and resilience for a critical Defence capability,” Australian Defence Industry and Capability Delivery Minister Pat Conroy commented.
“This partnership demonstrates the strength of our local expertise and the vital role industry play in supporting our national security.”
Sikorsky’s MH-60R Seahawk
The MH-60R measures 64 feet (20 meters) long, has a rotor diameter of 54 feet (16 meters), and a payload capacity of approximately 6,000 pounds (2,721 kilograms).
It is armed with lightweight torpedoes, guided bombs, and air-to-surface missiles for anti-surface, anti-submarine, and naval special warfare missions. Additionally, the aircraft can deploy for search and rescue as well as medical evacuation tasks.
The helicopter is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401 engines with about 1,900 horsepower each.
The MH-60R has a speed of 180 knots (207 miles/333 kilometers per hour), a range of 470 nautical miles (541 miles/870 kilometers), and an operational altitude of over 11,000 feet (3,353 feet).
