First international delivery of MH-60S Helicopters head for Thailand

Posted by- Neelam Mathews Aug 9, 2011 Two MH-60S SEAHAWK helicopters headed to the Royal Thai Navy, marking the first delivery of the MH-60 to an international customer. The MH-60S helicopters acquired by the Royal Thai Navy are designed for utility missions, such as logistics and troop transport. In addition, the standard searchlight and rescue hoist will enable aircrew to perform search and rescue missions. The U.S. Navy flew the aircraft from Owego, N.Y., to the Port of Baltimore, Md., ahead of their ocean voyage to Thailand. The aircraft were acquired via the U.S. Government's Foreign Military Sales program. "MH-60S 'Sierra' helicopters have proven to be highly reliable utility aircraft for the U.S. Navy fleet," said Michael Sears, the U.S. Navy's international H-60 deputy program manager. "We are honored to provide Thailand with the same capability, along with pilot and maintainer training, spares and logistical support." The new Sierra aircraft are an integral part of the Royal Thai Navy's fleet modernization program to augment the capabilities of six Sikorsky S-70B SEAHAWK and six marinized S-76B helicopters acquired through U.S. Foreign Military Sales in the late 1990s. The Navy has expressed interest in additional MH-60S purchases. MH-60S and MH-60R SEAHAWK multi-mission helicopters are designed and manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. Lockheed Martin provides the digital cockpit for both MH-60 helicopter types, and is the systems integrator for the MH-60R platform.