Sikorsky Tapped For King Stallion Production | F-35s Launched From Big Lizzie Dogfight Against Typhoons | Australia Proceeds With AGM-158C Purchase
Americas
Northrop Grumman won a $54.4 million delivery order, which procures maintenance support equipment and recurring peculiar support equipment, along with associated non-recurring engineering and integrated logistics support for the E-2D Advanced Hawkeye aircraft. The next-generation, E-2D Advanced Hawkeye has a new radar, theatre missile defense capabilities, multisensor integration and a Northrop Grumman Navigation Systems tactical glass cockpit. Work will take place in Florida. Estimated completion date will be by December 2022.
Sikorsky won a $107 million modification for the low rate initial production of organic capability pilot repair material, technical publications, peculiar support equipment and logistics support for the CH-53K King Stallion aircraft. The Sikorsky CH-53K is a heavy-lift helicopter. It can be fielded from amphibious assault ships for the transportation of personnel and equipment. It will also be used to carry external cargo loads. At the end of June, the CH-53K finished two-week sea trial in the Atlantic Ocean. Work under the modification will take place in Connecticut, France, Canada, Florida, Mississippi, New York, Virginia, Arizona, California and the various locations within the continental US. Estimated completion date is in June 2025.
Middle East & Africa
Lockheed Martin won a $12.9 million delivery order, which provides for the production and delivery of 62 Audio Management Computer-Lite computers to be used as spares in the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter in support of the Naval Supply Systems Command, the government Australia and Saudi Arabia and to support the development of the Operation Test Program Set for the Navy. Additionally, this order provides for the production and delivery of 33 flight management computers for installation on the Navy MH-60 Seahawk helicopter and 50 SP-103E circuit cards for retrofit computer upgrades. MH-60R Seahawk is a multi-mission helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. It is considered to be the world’s most advanced maritime helicopter. The helicopter is equipped for a range of missions, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search-and-rescue (SAR), naval gunfire support (NGFS), surveillance, communications relay, logistics support and personnel transfer, and vertical replenishment. Work will take place in New York and expected completion will be by August 2023.
Europe
F-35 jets launched from HMS Queen Elizabeth practiced air combat, dogfighting against Typhoons and other F-35s. HMS Queen Elizabeth and her aircraft were recently joined by frigate HMS Kent and a nuclear submarine while on Exercise Crimson Ocean. Exercise Crimson Ocean is geared towards putting the carrier and her F-35s through their paces. The exercise is part of a journey to enable the carrier, her aircraft and her escorts to deploy operationally next year. Next year, HMS Queen Elizabeth will deploy with two frigates, two destroyers, a nuclear submarine and support vessels.
Asia-Pacific
The 353rd Special Operations Group organized exercise Gryphon Jet from June 17-26, 2020 at Yokota Air Base, Japan. Over that 10-day period US forces teamed up to execute the high altitude high opening, high altitude low opening, fast rope, and repel training needed to get its special tactics operators where they need to be quickly, efficiently, and most importantly, ready to respond at a moment’s notice.
The Australian government will proceed with the purchase of the AGM-158C, Long Range Anti-Ship Missiles (LRASMs). The US government had cleared the same in February and the deal is worth up to $990 million. However, Australia is reported to be spending $880 million for the purchase. The weapon will be integrated on Australia’s F/A-18F Super Hornet and training will start next year.
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