In a joint cooperative effort with the Royal Australian Navy, the U.S. Navy has started the first phase of a modernization program for the MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopter. The open systems prototype project is meant to resolve multiple obsolescence issues for the aircraft and deliver a maritime vehicle (see image above) that can respond to emerging threats and adapt to new fleet requirements through 2050. 

Several key suppliers have been named as part of the modular open systems upgrade program. They include Sierra Nevada Corp. as lead integrator, Rockwell Collins Inc. as avionics integrator, and Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems as hardware/software lead integrator. 

Technology Security Associates (TSA), part of Aether Aerospace and a division of JHNA, will evaluate how the open systems approach to integration serves modernization efforts. The MH-60R has been used for antisubmarine warfare, surface warfare, electronic warfare (EW), and command and control duties.

The modernization program doesn't include contract or agreement awards with suppliers, which must be negotiated. Rather, it serves to guide the collaborative digital engineering required for successful integration of multiple systems and streamline future acquisitions required for maintaining MH-60 Sea Hawk helicopters.