NAVAIR Patuxent River, MD – The U.S. Navy recently awarded a $144 million contract to Lockheed Martin for development of the MH-60R Seahawk Automatic Radar Periscope Detection and Discrimination system.

The cost plus incentive fee contract initiates design of the ARPDD system which will be added to the baseline aircraft in the 2013 timeframe.

“The selection of the MH-60R as the lead airborne platform for ARPDD expedites the deployment of this powerful new technology and also leverages the complementary systems available on the [helicopter] for Carrier Strike Group anti-submarine protection,” said MH-60R program manager, Capt. Dean Peters.

An upgrade to the MH-60R’s previous AN/APs-147 radar system, ARPDD provides a greater ability to automatically detect submarine periscopes and distinguish them from other foreign objects floating in the water.

“The improved automated periscope detection, classification and tracking capabilities available with ARPDD will significantly enhance defense of the Navy’s capital ships,” Peters added.

Intended to replace the aging SH-60B and SH-60F aircraft, the MH-60R is the Navy’s next generation multi-mission combat helicopter designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. The total program requirement for the MH-60R is 298 helicopters, of which 21 have been delivered.

First operational deployment for the MH-60R is expected to begin in January 2009.

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