Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky division has completed the critical design review (CDR) of training systems for the HH-60W helicopter that will perform future combat search-and-rescue missions for the U.S. Air Force. Completing the design review allows the program to begin assembly, test and evaluation of the training systems, the company announced on October 25.
HH-60W training devices include full-motion simulators, full aircraft maintenance trainers and part task training devices for systems such as avionics, rescue hoist and landing gear. The full-motion simulators will conform to Federal Aviation Administration standards and link with other simulators on the Combat Air Forces Distributed Mission Operations network, Lockheed Martin said.
The Air Force awarded Sikorsky Aircraft a $1.28 billion manufacturing and engineering development (EMD) contract in June 2014, calling for delivery of four HH-60W helicopters, aircrew and maintenance training systems and support. The service exercised a $203 million contract option in January calling for five additional helicopters, bringing the total to nine under the EMD phase. In May, Lockheed Martin said it had completed the CDR milestone for the air vehicle.
“I am really excited about achieving yet another program milestone in support of a six-month accelerated schedule,” said Tim Healy, Sikorsky’s combat rescue helicopter program director. “The aircraft production is well under way, and with our training system design well understood by all parties, we can now begin assembly of the training devices and courseware as well.”
The Air Force program of record calls for the delivery of 112 helicopters to replace HH-60G Pave Hawks that currently perform combat search-and-rescue operations. Lockheed Martin Sikorsky expects to conduct the first flight of the HH-60W late next year. The company expects training devices and courseware will be ready for training crews in early 2020.
Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky division has completed the critical design review (CDR) of training systems for the HH-60W helicopter that will perform future combat search-and-rescue missions for the U.S. Air Force. Completing the design review allows the program to begin assembly, test and evaluation of the training systems, the company announced on October 25.
HH-60W training devices include full-motion simulators, full aircraft maintenance trainers and part-task training devices for systems such as avionics, rescue hoist and landing gear. The full-motion simulators will conform to Federal Aviation Administration standards and link with other simulators on the Combat Air Forces Distributed Mission Operations network, Lockheed Martin (Stands P6, 1190) said.
The Air Force awarded Sikorsky Aircraft a $1.28 billion manufacturing and engineering development (EMD) contract in June 2014, calling for delivery of four HH-60W helicopters, aircrew and maintenance training systems and support. The service exercised a $203 million contract option in January calling for five additional helicopters, bringing the total to nine under the EMD phase. In May, Lockheed Martin said it had completed the CDR milestone for the air vehicle.
“I am really excited about achieving yet another program milestone in support of a six-month accelerated schedule,” said Tim Healy, Sikorsky’s combat rescue helicopter program director. “The aircraft production is well under way, and with our training system design well understood by all parties, we can now begin assembly of the training devices and courseware as well.”
The Air Force program of record calls for the delivery of 112 helicopters to replace HH-60G Pave Hawks that currently perform combat search-and-rescue operations. Lockheed Martin Sikorsky expects to conduct the first flight of the HH-60W late next year. The company expects training devices and courseware will be ready for training crews in early 2020.