PATUXENT RIVER, MD, May 9, 2005 – The MH-60R Seahawk, the Navy’s next generation submarine hunter and surface attack helicopter, entered operational evaluation May 9, 2005 with Air Test and Evaluation Squadron One here.

Designed to replace the fleet’s legacy SH-60B and SH-60F aircraft, the MH-60R and its mission systems will undergo rigorous assessment in operational flight conditions by Fleet representatives.

OpEval is the aircraft’s final test phase before fleet introduction and delivery.

Navy evaluators gave the authorization to begin OpEval at an Apr. 22 operations test readiness review meeting. The decision followed the helicopter’s successful completion of the Navy’s six-month-long developmental test phase, known as technical evaluation, in February.

The Navy’s operational test squadron, known as VX-1, will conduct OpEval, scheduled to end in September, here at Pax and various other test ranges.

Specifically, VX-1 will evaluate the performance of the MH-60R aircraft and its on-board weapons subsystems, including the multimode radar, electronic support measures and radar warning receiver, airborne dipping sonar and acoustics. The fusion of multiple data sources for most effective workload management and decision-making also will be evaluated.

“OpEval will provide VX-1 pilots and operators the opportunity to fully evaluate the dramatically added reach, precision and combat effectiveness of the MH-60R,” said Multi-mission Helicopter Program Manager Capt. Paul Grosklags. “New tactics will begin to evolve from the enhanced capability to localize, track and attack undersea and surface targets.”

The new technology this platform brings to the fleet and operating forces around the world will change the way U.S. Naval forces fight by providing greater surveillance capabilities and more combat options for strike battle group commanders, according to program officials.

"Entry into the operational evaluation phase affirms Navy confidence in the MH-60R weapons system,” said Jeff Bantle, vice president of Multi-Mission Solutions at Lockheed Martin Systems Integration - Owego. "We are excited about the tremendous increase in capability, and the future fleet's enhanced operational effectiveness in the littoral battle space."

Industry partners agree that the increased capabilities that are offered with the MH-60R will play a major role in a naval force that will deter and win the wars of the future.

"MH-60R OPEVAL marks a major step towards Milestone III and full-rate production," said Len Wengler, vice president of Maritime Programs at Sikorsky Aircraft. "We look forward to the introduction of the MH-60R and the major increase in war fighting capability it will provide the US Navy. The MH-60R will set the standard for ASW and ASuW aircraft."

Lockheed Martin is the mission systems integrator for the MH-60R, and also provides the digital cockpit, which is common to all MH-60S and MH-60R helicopters. Sikorsky designs and manufactures the MH-60S and MH-60R aircraft and is responsible for the mechanical and electrical modifications on the airframe.

The MH-60R program, co-lead by Cmdr. Kevin Switick and Mr. Robert Kimble, is a department within the Multi-mission Helicopter Program Office, PMA-299, headquartered at the Naval Air Systems Command in Patuxent River, Md. PMA-299 is administered by the Program Executive Office for Air ASW, Assault and Special Mission Programs.

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Media Contacts:
Frans Jurgens, (607) 751-2598; e-mail, [email protected]

Stephanie Vendrasco, (301) 757-5386; e-mail, [email protected]

Ed Steadham, (203) 386-7143; e-mail, [email protected]

Caption for Photo 1

A MH-60R Seahawk, with ALFS dipping sonar, at the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center, Bahamas in February 2005 completes its final acoustics test period for technical evaluation.

Caption for Photo 2

HX-21’s MH-60R Seahawk firing a hellfire missile over the Atlantic Warning Area, March 2005. This missile launch was the final capstone for the successful completion of technical evaluation of the MH-60R.