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US Navy delivers two maritime helicopters to Thai Navy as part of first MH-60 Foreign Military Sale

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World Navy Force News - USA / Thailand
 
 
 
US Navy delivers two maritime helicopters to Thai Navy as part of first MH-60 Foreign Military Sale
 
The MH-60 program recorded another milestone recently when the first two Foreign Military Sale MH-60S, or “Sierra,” helicopters began their journey to the Royal Thai Navy. The helicopters began the first leg of their journey to Thailand with a “fly off” on August 8 from Lockheed Martin’s facility in Owego, N.Y. They flew to the Port of Baltimore in Maryland, where they were eventually shipped to Thailand and entered operational status today.

“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 MH-60 program recorded another milestone recently when the first two Foreign Military Sale MH-60S, or “Sierra,” helicopters began their journey to the Royal Thai Navy. The helicopters began the first leg of their journey to Thailand with a “fly off” on August 8 from Lockheed Martin’s facility in Owego, N.Y. They flew to the Port of Baltimore in Maryland, where they were eventually shipped to Thailand and entered operational status today.
Royal Thai Navy MH-60S Knight Hawk
(picture: Sukasom Hiranphan/TAF)
     
The Thai government submitted a request to the United States for the purchase of two MH-60 Sierra helicopters, each featuring Lockheed Martin’s Common Cockpit integrated into the Sikorsky-made airframe. Once the request was approved, Lockheed Martin’s MH-60 team in Owego, N.Y., incorporated a new communications radio and an air traffic control upgrade into the two aircraft.

The Royal Thai Navy add them to its search and rescue fleet as part of a fleet modernization plan. Thailand has expressed interest in purchasing additional MH-60S aircraft from the U.S. Navy.

The MH-60S helicopter features extensive airframe commonality and shares the same Lockheed Martin Common Cockpit™ avionic suite with the U.S. Navy’s MH-60R ‘Romeo’ anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopter. To date, the two multi-role aircraft have logged 450,000 flight hours with the digital cockpit, which helps pilots easily perform a range of maritime missions.
From: TAF