USAF seeks HH-60W upgrades, ahead of entry into service

The US Air Force (USAF) is seeking upgrades to the Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH), even though the type has yet to enter service.

An artist's impression of HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter. Although the type has yet to enter into operational service, the USAF has requested a series of capability upgrades after the specifications were baselined in 2012. (Lockheed Martin)

The service posted a request for information (RFI) on 1 October to assess the ability of companies and industry at large to perform development, integration, verification, production, and installation of a broad spectrum of capability upgrades for the combat search-and-rescue (CSAR) helicopter that was only recently cleared to enter into low-rate initial production (LRIP).

As noted by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Helicopter Program Office, Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) Division (AFLCMC/WIH), the upgrades are necessary as the performance and system requirements for the HH-60W were baselined in 2012, prior to the contract award of its engineering and manufacturing development (EMD) phase.

“The current system specification reflects the 2012 requirements baseline. During EMD execution, this requirements baseline has continued to evolve, driving the need for planning in support of a new contract vehicle to address a broad spectrum of known and undefined operational capabilities. This Sources Sought Synopsis will gather information on the current experience and capabilities of prospective industry sources to address CRH capability upgrades,” the RFI stated.