OWEGO, N.Y., July 31 (UPI) -- Lockheed Martin says the first batch of MH-60R maritime strike helicopters has been delivered to the U.S. Navy for deployment.
Lockheed Martin says the completed MH-60R deliveries are part of the Navy's program to replace the fleet of SH-60B and SH-60F Seahawk helicopters. The new anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopters are under a $1.065 billion, multiyear contract with the Navy awarded in 2007 to integrate an additional 139 MH-60Rs with new mission systems and avionics.
Lockheed Martin Systems Integration-Owego delivered 11 aircraft to the HSM-71 squadron that will be deployed with the USS John C. Stennis aircraft carrier strike group.
"The new systems and sensors on the MH-60R have expanded the support the helicopter community can provide to the Navy by an order of magnitude," Cmdr. Michael Nortier, HSM-71 commanding officer, said in a statement.
"The visual presentations this technology provides enable us to deploy quickly and effectively, putting our people where they need to be exactly when they need to be there."
