Source: US Coast Guard Source: US Coast Guard Close

The avionics upgrades include reliability and capability improvements for the Automatic Flight Control System; installation of a digital cockpit display system and an upgraded digital weather/surface search radar; integration of a robust Command, Control, Communications, Computers, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) suite and modernization of the digital flight deck with Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS), common with the Coast Guard H-60 medium range recovery helicopter and similar Department of Defense aircraft. Once the upgrades are complete, the helicopter is redesignated an MH-65E.

At the same time, the Coast Guard is completing SLEP activities to replace five major structure components - the nine-degree frame, canopy, center console floor assembly, floorboards and side panels. These mission-critical improvements are designed to extend the service life of the helicopter by 10,000 flight hours.

Work was finished December 18, 2018, on the first H-65 - CG 6556 - to complete SLEP activities and the avionics upgrade in a joint production line. Termed low rate initial production (LRIP), this first phase allows the service to review and validate improvements required after the initial work on the prototype and validation/verification (CG-6587) aircraft. During this phase, Coast Guard teams discovered that the wire analysis system was not completely ready for full production. On-the-spot corrections were made to remedy the problem and rolled into the production process for future aircraft.

The avionics upgrades and SLEP are being completed at the same time to achieve schedule and cost efficiencies. The Coast Guard will also sequence the installation of new upgrade components after SLEP and programmed depot maintenance is complete, avoiding unnecessary rework that would be required if the efforts were conducted separately.

Initial Operational Test and Evaluation Begins

On January 7, 2019, the H-65 Program with Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force began initial operational and test evaluation (IOT&E) activities on two of the three aircraft that have been converted to the Echo configuration, the LRIP and validation/verification aircraft. IOT&E is the evaluation process used to demonstrate the MH-65E’s airworthiness and ensure the aircraft meets operational requirements and associated performance requirements, and is able to safely and effectively perform the Coast Guard missions prior to fleet induction.

Twenty-one ground events and 56 flights have been planned for IOT&E. There will be three test periods and one make-up test period that take place in a three-month window.

A final test report of data collected from both the operational assessment and IOT&E will be used to support a decision for the program to move into full rate production. The program anticipates an ADE-3 decision in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020.

Projected completion of the MH-65E conversion for all 98 aircrafts is fiscal year 2024.

For more information: MH-65 program page: https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Acquisitions-CG-9/Programs/Air-Programs/SRR-MH-65/

Source: U.S. Navy Source: U.S. Navy Close

If procured these MH-60Rs would allow the Hellenic Navy to augment its inventory of 11 Sikorsky S-70B-6 Aegean Hawks. The arrival of the new helicopters would also enable the Navy to retire its aging fleet of seven Agusta-Bell AB212 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopters that are nearing the end of their useful service lives.

Any procurement by Greece would be conducted via the U.S. government-to-government foreign military sales (FMS) process. The acquisition project would first need to be signed off on by the Defense Council and Hellenic Governmental Council on Foreign Affairs and National Defense (KYSEA).

Following years of "troika" (European Commission, European Central Bank, and IMF) imposed austerity budgeting aimed at closing a massive budget deficit and righting Greece' over-extended debt position the Greek government finally emerged from its last three-year bailout program with a clean exit on August 20, 2018. Though government financial latitude remains limited by the economic and debt straightjacket still encapsulating the country, procurements limited in scope remain viable. The latest proposed acquisition would both patch an emerging capabilities gap while improving capability, as well as ensure Greece can continue to defend its littoral domains in the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas.

USAF Special Operations Aircraft CV-22 Osprey Source: USAF USAF Special Operations Aircraft CV-22 Osprey Source: USAF Close

Development work will continue to take place at the Raytheon facility in McKinney, Texas, and is expected to be complete by December 2021.

Fiscal 2019 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $5,450,390 are being obligated at the time of award.

The Special Operations Command Headquarters, Tampa, Florida, is the contacting activity.

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