Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Firm, Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $656,774,666 modification to contract for UH-60M plane. Work will probably be carried out in Stratford, Connecticut, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2027. The Australian Authorities will purchase 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for the Australian Military. This was an essential acquisition which can meet the strategic wants of the Australian Military. Fiscal 2010 International Army Gross sales (Australia) funds within the quantity of $656,774,666 had been obligated on the time of the award. U.S. Military Contracting Command, Redstone Arsenal, Alabama, is the contracting exercise.

The Authorities of Australia has requested to purchase 40 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters; 88 T700-GE 701D engines; 44 AN/AAR-57 Counter Missile Warning Methods (CMWS); and 96 H-764U Embedded International Place Methods with Inertial Navigation (EGI) and Nation Distinctive SAASM (or future substitute). The proposed sale will change Australia’s present multi-role helicopter fleet with a extra dependable and confirmed system that may permit Australia to keep up the suitable stage of readiness to conduct mixed operations. The UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter will enhance the Australian Military’s capability to deploy fight energy to share Australia’s strategic surroundings, deter actions in opposition to its pursuits.

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Australian Defence Power MRH-90 Taipan Multi Position Helicopter. (Photograph by Australian Authorities Division of Defence)

The UH-60M Black Hawk will function from Oakey, Queensland and Holsworthy, New South Wales supported by a extremely expert, blended upkeep workforce together with Australian business contractors. Australian business will probably be concerned in logistic assist, warehousing companies, coaching improvement and engineering companies, as nicely within the plane’s world provide chain. Supply of the Black Hawk helicopters will begin this yr. The helicopter will assist the deployment of our troops and their tools the place they’re wanted in instances of disaster. Australia may have no problem absorbing this tools into its armed forces. The principal contractor will probably be Lockheed Martin, Bethesda, MD.

Australia ordered fourteen S-70A-9 Black Hawks in 1986 and a further twenty-five Black Hawks in 1987. The primary US produced Black Hawk was delivered in 1987 to the Royal Australian Air Power (RAAF). de Havilland Australia produced thirty-eight Black Hawks beneath license from Sikorsky in Australia delivering the primary in 1988 and the final in 1991. On 10 December 2021, the S-70A-9 Black Hawks had been retired from service. On the identical day, amid points with the efficiency of the MRH-90s the federal government introduced that they’d get replaced by as much as 40 UH-60M Black Hawks. UH-60M Black Hawk is an improved design large chord rotor blades, engines, improved sturdiness gearbox, pc, and new glass cockpit.

Australian Army’s 6th Aviation Regiment Black Hawk Utility Helicopter.
Australian Military’s sixth Aviation Regiment Black Hawk Utility Helicopter. (Photograph by CPL Dustin Anderson/Australian Authorities Division of Defence)