BALTIMORE, Aug. 10 (UPI) -- Two Sikorsky MH-60 Seahawk helicopters have been flown to the Port of Baltimore en route to Thailand for delivery to the Thai navy.
The delivery of the helicopters, acquired through the U.S. Government's Foreign Military Sales program, will be the first of the MH-60 to an international customer.
The U.S. Navy flew the aircraft from Owego, N.Y., to the Port of Baltimore ahead of embarkation to Thailand by ship.
"MH-60S 'Sierra' helicopters have proven to be highly reliable utility aircraft for the U.S. Navy fleet," said Michael Sears, the Navy's international H-60 deputy program manager. "We are honored to provide Thailand with the same capability, along with pilot and maintainer training, spares and logistical support."
The new Sierra aircraft are part of the Thai navy's fleet modernization program to augment the capabilities of six Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk and six marinized S-76B helicopters acquired through U.S. Foreign Military Sales in the late 1990s.
The MH-60S helicopters acquired by the Thai navy are designed for utility missions, such as logistics and troop transport. In addition, the standard searchlight and rescue hoist will enable aircrew to perform search-and-rescue missions.
