Australian MH-60R Nears Completion
Australia’s first Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk multimission maritime helicopter is almost ready for delivery and is scheduled to fly its final test flight this week, according to an industry official.
The helicopter would be turned over to the US Navy and then given to the Australian Navy for more testing at Lockheed’s Owego, N.Y., modification facility on Dec. 10, George Barton, vice president of business development for Lockheed’s Ship and Aviation Systems Division, said during a Tuesday briefing at the Dubai Airshow.
A roll-out ceremony with Australian officials is scheduled for Jan. 24 in Jacksonville, Fla. The delivery will mark the first of 24 MH-60Rs for Australia.
“All of their aircraft are somewhere between a few weeks to two months ahead of schedule,” Barton said.
International interest in the MH-60R remains high, Barton said, noting countries are interested in foreign military sales and direct commercial sales.
