NOWRA, Australia, 21 December 2023 – Together the Royal Australian Navy and Sikorsky Australia, a Lockheed Martin company, have completed the 50th periodic maintenance interval (PMI) across Navy’s fleet of MH-60R Seahawk helicopters in the Shoalhaven region.

The sustainment milestone was delivered on 1 December 2023. It reinforces the strong and enduring partnership between Sikorsky and the Royal Australian Navy to successfully sustain the Seahawks, a world-class maritime platform that brings unparalleled anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare capabilities to Australia, the US Navy and navies worldwide.

Sikorsky Australia is the Royal Australian Navy’s industry partner for delivering comprehensive deep-maintenance services and intermediate level maintenance support for the MH-60R Seahawk.

Commodore Anthony Savage, Director General Navy Aviation, Aircrew Training and Commons, acknowledged the importance of Defence industry in achieving this milestone for the Royal Australian Navy’s MH-60R Seahawk fleet.

“Defence is proud of its longstanding industry partnerships, which are critical to ensuring our important operational capabilities are in top condition for Australian Defence Force warfighters.”

Sikorsky Australia General Manager Cliff Kyle said this milestone is significant.

“Our 200+ strong workforce is proud to work alongside the Royal Australia Navy to maintain the Seahawks – we have an incredible partnership. As a team we are privileged to be entrusted with the responsibility to maintain Australia’s formidable frontline naval aviation warfare asset.”

“I commend the Sikorsky Australia team for their skills, dedication and consistent performance at the highest level. For these first 50 PMI activities, the outstanding work is evident across all areas of maintenance, logistics, training, quality and program management to proudly deliver the Seahawks to the Navy.”

“The conduct of the PMI is a highly specialised activity with the full teardown and inspection of the aircraft being conducted over a six-month period. The goal of the PMI is to ensure the aircraft is delivered back to the Navy in pristine condition to ensure it meets the rigorous requirements of operational service.”

“With the Seahawk fleet set to increase from 2025, we are looking forward to expanding support to the Royal Australian Navy and continuing to grow sovereign industrial capability in our platform stewardship role for the MH-60R,” said Cliff Kyle.

About Lockheed Martin Australia

Headquartered in Canberra, Lockheed Martin Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Lockheed Martin Corporation. The company employs more than 1,400 people in Australia working on a wide range of major programs spanning the aerospace, Defence and civil sectors.

Lockheed Martin Australia Media Contact:

Stacey Ward, +61 439 369 305