The U.S. Navy has already taken delivery of the 76th MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission helicopter. But it is the benchmark 75th delivery, celebrated on October 13, that marked more than just a new Seahawk for the fleet. It represented a renewed focus on streamlined production and affordability.

“Over the last year, MS2 has devoted its resources to developing a leaner, more efficient production line for the program,” said George Barton, director of Lockheed Martin’s Naval Helicopter Programs. “Those efforts have resulted in nearly doubling our production capacity from 18 aircraft delivered in 2009 to 35 this year.”

By increasing the reliability of the production schedule and streamlining the process for integrating mission suites aboard the Romeo, Barton projects a 14% savings. “That’s like getting 10 mission suites for the price of one,” he said.

MS2 and aircraft manufacturer Sikorsky expect to deliver up to 35 fully-missionized MH-60R aircraft in 2010 to the Navy as part of a five-year contract for 139 MH-60Rs. The contract runs through 2013. The Navy also plans to order an additional 300 MH-60R aircraft in the near future.

Additionally, MS2 and Sikorsky have capacity to deliver 20 MH-60R aircraft each year for possible international sales through the government’s foreign military sales program.

As mission systems integrator for the MH-60R, MS2 is responsible for integrating the helicopter’s digital cockpit, multi-mode radar, acoustic sonar suite, long-range infrared camera and other advanced sensors. Its primary mission is to detect, identify, track and engage surface and subsurface targets. MS2 also integrates a self-defense system to protect the aircraft from missile threats.

To date, the Navy has added MH-60Rs to five of 20 Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadrons (HSMs). The aircraft can operate aboard all naval aviation-capable ships, including carriers, cruisers, amphibious ships, destroyers and frigates.

Recently, the MH-60R was deployed to both east and west coast Navy squadrons, marking the first time both coasts have had deployments at the same time. The HSM-77 Saberhawks (San Diego, Calif.) are deployed on a long cruise as part of the USS Lincoln Carrier Strike group and the HSM-70 Spartans (Jacksonville, Fla.) are deployed on a month-long exercise in the Atlantic.

MH-60Rs currently deployed with naval squadrons from the east and west coasts include:

HSM-40 Airwolves
HSM-41 Seahawks
HSM-70 Spartans
HSM-71 Raptors
HSM-77 Saberhawks