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Sikorsky Qualifies Weapons System for Digital Black Hawk Helicopter

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Integrated system simplifies high accuracy targeting of guns, rockets and missiles for medium attack roles

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) company, has completed qualification to military standards of a comprehensive weapons system for S-70M / S-70i™ Black Hawk helicopters. Fully integrated with the aircraft’s existing avionics, the system allows either pilot to place munitions quickly from forward firing guns, rocket pods and laser-designated air-to-ground missile launchers onto static or moving targets with high accuracy.

S-70 Black Hawk helicopter armed with four forward-firing guns, rocket pod and laser-guided missiles (PRNewsfoto/Lockheed Martin)
S-70 Black Hawk helicopter armed with four forward-firing guns, rocket pod and laser-guided missiles (PRNewsfoto/Lockheed Martin

“Sikorsky has vastly simplified the complex task of placing rounds onto a target from standoff distances by calculating the complex ballistics required for effective airborne gunnery,” said Bill Gostic, Sikorsky vice president of Global Military Systems & Services. “Once the weapons interfaces and electro-optical infrared sensor are integrated with the Black Hawk helicopter’s existing controls and displays, international militaries can add external wings and weapons of choice in less than three hours to perform a range of medium attack missions.”

In 2017, Sikorsky concluded a six-year development program of the weapons system, including two years of live fire tests at the U.S. Army’s Yuma Proving Ground in Arizona. Sikorsky’s independent Qualification Assurance Board recently verified and validated the weapons system’s effectiveness and conformance to operational safety, airworthiness and firing accuracy.

Weapons are carried by two external wings supporting four weapons stations, which can support any combination of fixed forward 50-cal (12.7mm) gun, 7- or 19-shot Hydra 70 rocket pods, or Hellfire™ air-to-ground missiles. Additionally, the qualified configuration features pilot-controlled fixed forward or crew served flex fire 7.62-mm mini-guns mounted to both cabin windows.

Once integrated for weapons delivery, the armed Black Hawk aircraft can be configured to perform a variety of medium attack missions:

  • Attack, armed escort, fire suppression: Carry full external weapons load, with ammunition pallets and auxiliary fuel tank inside the cabin
  • Troop transport and assault: Seat up to 10 troops and two window gunners with external wings (no ammunition pallets inside the cabin)
  • Anti-armor: Carry up to 16 laser guided missiles.

To engage with guns and rockets, the weapons system presents continuously updated targeting symbology to each pilot’s helmet mounted display. By following the cues on the display, the pilot can maneuver the aircraft and engage the target. The system also provides target designation for laser-guided HELLFIRE missiles.

Available from Sikorsky, the Black Hawk weapons system can be tailored to customer preferences.

About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 100,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin

Military permit to fly for F-35B aircraft to operate from Queen Elizabeth class carriers

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Support for the first of class flying trials and the release of the military permit to fly for F-35B aircraft to operate from Queen Elizabeth class carriers in support of the government of the United Kingdom

Lockheed Martin Corp., Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded $11,566,000 for cost-plus-fixed-fee undefinitized delivery order 0144 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0020). This order provides support for the first of class flying trials and the release of the military permit to fly for F-35B aircraft to operate from Queen Elizabeth class carriers in support of the government of the United Kingdom. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (68 percent); Samlesbury, United Kingdom (26 percent); Orlando, Florida (3 percent); and Patuxent River, Maryland (3 percent), and is expected to be completed in March 2018. International partner funds in the amount of $5,783,000 will be obligated at time of award, none of which will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. The Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, Maryland, is the contracting activity.

Lockheed Martin and Elbit Systems to Partner on the Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme for the Royal Navy

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New Partnership to Offer Royal Navy Electronic Warfare Capability

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) UK and Elbit Systems UK have signed a strategic teaming agreement to partner on the Maritime Electronic Warfare Programme (MEWP) for the Royal Navy.

The MEWP is a significant procurement to upgrade the Royal Navy’s Electronic Warfare capabilities. Delivered in increments, the upgraded system will be fielded on the Royal Navy’s frigates, destroyers and amphibious assault ships, with the programme expanding to the wider fleet including submarines in due course.

Lockheed Martin has a proven track record of developing and integrating complex maritime systems into the United States Navy, the Royal Navy and a wide variety of international naval vessels. Elbit Systems UK has over three decades of experience in the design of development of high performance naval systems.

Pictured above in front and signing the teaming agreement (l to r): Edgar Maimon, executive vice president and general manager – EW and SIGINT Elisra Division; Martin Fausset, CEO of Elbit Systems UK and Paul Livingston, vice president of Lockheed Martin UK – Integrated Systems and Paul Livingston, vice president of Lockheed Martin UK – Integrated Systems (PRNewsfoto/Lockheed Martin)

The partnership between the two companies, which was announced at DSEI in London, will bring together valuable experience and unique capabilities to develop an outstanding solution for this crucial UK programme.

“By working together, both companies can use their extensive experience in maritime technology and systems integration to provide a highly capable, proven and value for money solution to address the immediate and evolving need for an upgraded Maritime Electronic Warfare capability for the UK’s Royal Navy,” said Paul Livingston, vice president of Lockheed Martin UK Integrated Systems.

Martin Fausset of Elbit Systems UK Ltd said, “We are delighted to be working with Lockheed Martin to offer an innovative and comprehensive proposal to meet the Royal Navy’s future requirements, using our complementary skills and experience we believe we are a strong team able to propose a highly attractive solution to meet the programme needs.”

Lockheed Martin Unveils a New Lightweight Canister Launched Unmanned Aircraft System at DSEI

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Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) unveiled a new small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that has been designed and developed in the UK at the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI). OUTRIDER is a lightweight, canister launched UAS that has been designed by engineers at Lockheed Martin UK’s Havant facility in partnership with Wirth Research, an engineering company with specialisation in aerodynamics and composite materials. At only four inches wide and weighing only 1.7 kilograms, it is designed to be used in environments where conventional, larger unmanned air systems are not practical. Despite its size, OUTRIDER can travel up to 50 knots and boasts the best payload capacity and endurance when compared with similar UAS’s.

Outrider is Lockheed Martin’s new, lightweight canister launched UAS that’s been unveiled at DSEI in London
Outrider is Lockheed Martin’s new, lightweight canister launched UAS that’s been unveiled at DSEI in London (PRNewsfoto/Lockheed Martin)

Launched at the press of a button, OUTRIDER can be operated remotely or has the ability to be autonomous. It features a high-definition TV and infrared camera to give the operator enhanced situational awareness. The versatility of OUTRIDER means it has potential military, civil or commercial use and Lockheed Martin UK plans to offer it to market both in the UK and to interested export customers too.

“We are proud to offer OUTRIDER which has been designed and built in the UK for the international market. It provides secure leading edge situational awareness capabilities in its class for ground, surface, air or Sub-surface operational environments and can be launched at the press of a button,” said Paul Livingston, vice president and group managing director, Lockheed Martin UK – Integrated Systems.

Designed with export possibilities the OUTRIDER can be supplied in an entirely International Traffic in Arms Regulations or ITAR free configuration to address the wide commercial and military market needs.

“We’re excited and very proud of our collaboration with Lockheed Martin UK on the OUTRIDER project,” said Nick Wirth, CEO and Wirth Research founder. “Performance enhancement and innovation are fundamental to our motor sport heritage at Wirth Research. Transferring this approach from racing, combined with our rapid concept development and aero expertise, has been key to successfully meeting the technical challenges set by the Lockheed Martin team. OUTRIDER is the leading edge result.”

Lockheed Martin has five decades of experience in unmanned and robotic systems for air, land and sea. From the depths of the ocean to the rarified air of the stratosphere, Lockheed Martin’s unmanned systems help our military, civil and commercial customers accomplish their most difficult challenges.