Press Releases

April 05, 2005

  Stratford, Connecticut - The United States Coast Guard will upgrade and modernize its current Sikorsky HH-60J JAYHAWK helicopter fleet to meet its expanded Homeland Defense responsibilities, according to the revised Deepwater Implementation Plan recently presented to Congress. Deepwater outlines the USCG's long-range acquisition strategy across its entire inventory of cutters and aircraft to provide improved systems for command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) and innovative logistics support. An earlier version of Deepwater called for the purchase of a new and smaller aircraft to replace the JAYHAWK as the Coast Guard's Medium Range Recovery (MMR) Helicopter. In light of the USCG's post 9-11 requirements, Deepwater now forgoes the new aircraft and calls for upgrading the current HH-60J JAYHAWK.

The newly-designated MH-60T will be fitted with a new state-of-the-art cockpit, new search /weather radar and Electro-Optics/IR units, upgraded engines and airframe, and an Airborne Use of Force Package to provide more firepower and protection from small arms fire. The JAYHAWK is a variant of the Sikorsky H-60 product line currently used by all five branches of the U.S.military along with 25 governments across the world. We are honored that the Coast Guard has shown confidence in the JAYHAWK to help meet the nation's Homeland Defense requirements, said Joseph Haddock, Sikorsky Vice President for Government Business Development. The JAYHAWK is a rugged, proven, versatile multi-mission military aircraft well suited to the task.

Sikorsky Aircraft delivered 42 HH-60Js to the Coast Guard for search and rescue (SAR), offshore law enforcement, drug interdiction, aids to navigation and environmental protection. Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, based in Stratford, Conn., is a world leader in helicopter design, manufacturing and service. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corporation (NYSE:UTX), of Hartford, Conn., which provides a broad range of high-technology products and support services to the aerospace and building systems industries.