Airborne SI

Mission:

Gaining an eye-in-the-sky is critical for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare defense as it enhances situational awareness for aircraft crews and ship operators. Systems integration enables components to seamlessly work together to provide real-time data and communications.

Requirements:

The Royal Australian Navy required a fleet of new-generation, multi-role naval combat aircraft that provided:

• The best value for money for taxpayers
• The lowest risk
• Commonality among systems
• Interoperability with the U.S. Navy

Solution/Results:

Lockheed Martin is the systems integrator fulfilling the Royal Australian Navy’s fleet of 24 MH-60R helicopters that give the RAN the capacity to provide at least eight warships with a combat helicopter at the same time, including Anzac Class frigates and the new Air Warfare Destroyers. The MH-60R integrated mission systems and sensors shift the advantage from the submarine to the helicopter, effectively addressing today’s increasing submarine and surface warfare threats.

The MH-60R helicopter is compatible with the Australian Defence Force’s (ADF) network-centric warfare systems, which simplifies the helicopter’s integration and interoperability with other ADF assets, including the Air Warfare Destroyer, submarine fleet, and P-3/P-8, F/A-18 and F-35 fixed wing aircraft. Australia is also sharing in the U.S. Navy’s ongoing technology upgrade roadmap that ensures the MH-60R helicopter will remain relevant and capable for its 30-year lifetime.