Sikorsky [UTX] will respond to the Air Force’s latest attempt to replace its HH-60 helicopter with a modified UH-60M Black Hawk, according to a company official.
Tim Healy, Sikorsky’s director of Air Force programs, said in a phone interview recently that he believes the modified UH-60M is the best replacement because it is a proven commodity.
“We’re compliant with the Air Force’s requirements, we’re very low risk, very low cost, technically compliant and it’s a proven platform for the Air Force,” Healy said.
According to a Dec. 20 request for information (RFI) in Federal Business Opportunities, the Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) program is the latest version of the helicopter effort initially called the CSAR-X fleet replacement program that was canceled in 2009 by then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates. The program was formerly known as the HH-60 Recap as part of the Air Force’s effort to replace the current HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter with a new helicopter capable of performing Personnel Recovery efforts.
Interested bidders in CRH so far include Sikorsky, Boeing [BA] with its tandem-rotor Chinook helicopter, and a Boeing-Bell Helicopter [TXT] team with a V-22 Osprey. European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. remains “interested” in the CRH program as it progresses, according to a company spokesman. AgustaWestland is expected offer the AW 101 helicopter.
The Air Force plans to award a contract for the CRH in fiscal year 2013 and the service requires an Initial Operating Capability (IOC) consisting of eight aircraft with training systems and support in place in fiscal year 2018 or sooner with a medium risk schedule, according to a Nov. 17 RFI in Federal Business Opportunities. Healy said the Air Force told Sikorsky to expect a formal request for proposals out in 2012. The service anticipates replacing an estimated 112 HH-60G helicopters.
The modified UH-60M Black Hawk features two General Electric [GE] T700-GE-701D engines and has a maximum cruise speed of 280 kilometers per hour.