Lockheed Martin Celebrates Final Delivery of MH-60R SEAHAWK Helicopter for U.S. Navy’s Partnership with Australia

Lockheed Martin Achieves Milestone with Final MH-60R SEAHAWK Helicopter Delivery

On July 28, Lockheed Martin successfully delivered the 24th and final MH-60R SEAHAWK helicopter to the U.S. Navy, bolstering the Navy’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program alongside the Royal Australian Navy (RAN). This significant event occurred during a ceremony on July 27 at Lockheed Martin’s facility in Owego, New York.

The ceremony symbolized the official transfer of the last MH-60R SEAHAWK helicopter destined for the RAN from Lockheed Martin to the U.S. Navy. Attendees included officials from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), the RAN, and the Australian Embassy, as well as representatives from Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin.

“In late 2010, the Australian Government had not yet decided to acquire the Romeo, and now we celebrate the acceptance of the 24th and final aircraft,” expressed Royal Australian Navy Commodore Scott Lockey, Director General of Navy Aviation Systems. “The Royal Australian Navy has successfully executed its first three embarked flights, conducted the inaugural Hellfire Missile shoot, and accomplished a highly effective ‘DIPEX’ against a Collins Class submarine. These achievements are testament to the dedication and professionalism of everyone involved in the Romeo program at Lockheed Martin.”

The decision to procure the MH-60R “Romeo” SEAHAWK helicopter was made by the Commonwealth of Australia in June 2011. This choice was aimed at fulfilling the Australian Defence Force’s need for a fleet of 24 advanced, multi-role naval combat aircraft. The MH-60R helicopter not only excels in anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare but is also versatile enough for secondary missions such as search and rescue, logistics support, medical evacuation, and communication relay. Currently, the RAN’s existing fleet of S-70B-2 SEAHAWK helicopters is being replaced by these new-generation aircraft.

“This is a groundbreaking moment for both the U.S. Navy and Australia. While today marks the completion of the Seahawk deliveries to the RAN, it also opens doors for ongoing collaboration in advanced maritime operations,” stated Captain Craig Grubb, H-60 Multi-Mission Helicopter program manager. “I take pride in our team’s accomplishments and anticipate further strengthening our partnership with the RAN.”

This delivery marked the inaugural international sale of the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R SEAHAWK helicopter. The RAN received its first mission-ready aircraft in 2014, with the commissioning of the MH-60R training Squadron, 725 Squadron, in June 2015 in Nowra, New South Wales.

“This delivery exemplifies the effective collaboration between industry, the U.S. Navy, and Australia’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group, ensuring this program has remained on-budget and on-schedule,” remarked Tom Kane, Director of Naval Helicopter Programs at Lockheed Martin. “From aircraft delivery to training and long-term sustainment, we take pride in supporting the Australian Defence Force and ensuring the Romeo retains superior capability throughout its operational life.”

In 2015, the Romeo Project Office within Australia’s Capability Acquisition and Sustainment Group was honored with a “Project of the Year” award from the Australian Institute of Project Management (AIPM) for outstanding achievements in the RAN MH-60R SEAHAWK helicopter program.

Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin continue to support the RAN fleet through the Maritime Helicopter Support Company (MHSCo), which provides comprehensive logistics services to maintain optimum flight readiness for the RAN SEAHAWK helicopters over the fleet’s anticipated 30-year lifespan.