STRATFORD, Conn., May 2, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin
(NYSE: LMT) today announced the successful execution of the Combat
Rescue Helicopter Program (CRH) Air Vehicle Preliminary Design
Review (PDR). This important review signals that the CRH program is
proceeding with detailed design activities for the HH-60W Air
Vehicle and Logistics system. In addition, the team will
continue toward the CRH Training Systems Preliminary Design Review
in August, three months ahead of schedule.
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, and the United States Air
Force (USAF) hosted a five-day meeting in April to gather
stakeholders and key collaborators from government and industry for
an in-depth review that demonstrated that the overall design meets
the systems requirements setting the stage for the next phase of
the program. Review participants included members of the
Office of the Secretary of Defense, both the USAF acquisition team
and representatives of the USAF operational combat rescue
community, as well as the Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin industry
team and several other key suppliers.
"The successful Air Vehicle PDR confirms the program is on the
right track and marks a significant step for the CRH program," said
Tim Healy, Sikorsky, CRH Program
Director. "Sikorsky and the USAF are well aligned in this
collaboration effort and this successful PDR moves us closer to
bringing this vital aircraft to the warfighter. Specifically,
I am very proud of our team. They are not only operating to an
accelerated schedule, but the preliminary design that we have
achieved here has well prepared us for detailed aircraft design and
subsequent production. Our Training team is also executing
extremely well and will be conducting the PDR for the Training
System three months earlier than originally scheduled. This
will further reduce our risk to achieving the USAF accelerated
schedule for CRH and delivering this critical capability to the AF
rescue crews faster. We are keenly aware that they are in
combat every day, and that every day we can accelerate getting the
HH-60W into their hands reduces the risks that they face on our
nation's behalf."
The U.S. Air Force awarded Sikorsky the Combat Rescue Helicopter
contract in June 2014.
The $1.2 billion Engineering
Manufacturing & Development (EMD) contract includes development
and integration of the next generation combat rescue helicopter and
mission systems, including delivery of four HH-60W helicopters, as
well as six aircrew and maintenance training systems. The training
suite includes devices that span full motion simulators and
discrete aircraft systems used for training, such as hoist and
landing gear.
The USAF Program of Record calls for 112 helicopters to replace
the Air Force's rapidly aging HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters, which
perform critical combat search and rescue and personnel recovery
operations for all U.S. military services.
The HH-60W is an advanced variant of the UH-60M Black Hawk
helicopter design and features increased internal fuel capability,
allowing for greater range, and an increase in cabin space. The CRH
aircraft will feature GE T700-701D engines, composite wide-cord
main rotor blades and fatigue and corrosion-resistant machined
aero-structures to sustain maneuverability at high density
altitudes. The design includes an advanced Tactical Mission
Kit integrating multiple sensors, data links, defensive systems,
and other sources of intelligence information for use by combat
rescue aircrews.
In 2015, the CRH program conducted the Training System
Requirements Review (SRR) and System Functional Review (SFR) as
well as the Air Vehicle SFR and SRR.
J. David Schairbaum, USAF, System
Program Manager, CRH, said, "Achieving the Air Vehicle PDR
milestone is pivotal for our program. Successful execution of the
CRH program is essential to meet the continued demanding personnel
recovery mission in today's challenging operational environment. We
are working closely with Sikorsky to assure this newly designed
aircraft is delivered to the warfighter on schedule and within
cost."
Lockheed Martin will outfit the aircraft with its mission
planning system, defensive systems, data links, mission computers,
adverse weather sensors and system integration of all CRH-unique
subsystems.
For additional information, visit our website:
www.lockheedmartin.com
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda,
Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace
company that employs approximately 125,000 people worldwide and is
principally engaged in the research, design, development,
manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology
systems, products and services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin