Combat Rescue Helicopter work progresses
Lockheed Martin announced on 2 May the successful execution of the Combat Rescue Helicopter Program Air Vehicle Preliminary Design Review.
Image: Artist’s impression of the Combat Rescue Helicopter (Lockheed Martin)
Lockheed Martin announced on 2 May the successful execution of the Combat Rescue Helicopter Program (CRH) Air Vehicle Preliminary Design Review (PDR). The company stated that the review signals that the CRH programme is proceeding with detailed design activities for the HH-60W Air Vehicle and Logistics system. The team will continue toward the CRH Training Systems Preliminary Design Review in August.
The United States Air Force (USAF) and Sikorsky (a Lockheed Martin Company) hosted a five-day meeting in April to gather stakeholders and key collaborators from government and industry for a review that demonstrated that the overall design meets the systems requirements, setting the stage for the next phase of the programme, said the manufacturer. Participants in the review included members of the Office of the Secretary of Defense, 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.
J. David Schairbaum, the USAF’s CRH system programme manager, said: “Achieving the Air Vehicle PDR milestone is pivotal for our programme. 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.”
The USAF awarded the Combat Rescue Helicopter contract to Sikorsky 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 USAF Program of Record calls for 112 helicopters to replace the USAF’s HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters.