US Army adds $234 million to Black Hawk contract — Breaking Defense
The US Army has awarded Lockheed Martin subsidiary Sikorsky an additional $234 million under an undefinitized contract action for an initial batch of 16 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. The total value of the contract is $356 million, Breaking Defense reports.
The contract was concluded as an undefinitized contract action, meaning that the final amounts and number of helicopters may change during further negotiations. This mechanism allows the manufacturer to begin production before the agreement is finalized.
Deliveries in 2028
Sikorsky business development director Jason Rigley said that the first 16 helicopters are planned to be delivered to the Army in fiscal year 2028. According to him, the initial batch is funded using unspent appropriations from fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
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Sikorsky vice president and general manager Rich Benton suggested that, once the contract terms are finalized, it could cover up to 150 aircraft over the next three to four years. Some of the aircraft could be designated for the National Guard and for foreign military sales.
Continuous production
Sikorsky's 10th multiyear agreement with the US Army, concluded in 2022, is due to end in late 2027. The company plans to begin deliveries of the new 16 helicopters after the completion of that agreement.
Benton said that Sikorsky is already ordering long-lead components and has begun subassembly work to avoid an interruption in production. The US president's budget request for fiscal year 2027 provides $39 million for one UH-60M Black Hawk, while the previous request amounted to $913 million. A version of the National Defense Authorization Act passed by the House of Representatives in July provides an additional $250 million for the purchase of six UH-60Ms.
