The US Navy has taken delivery of its 50th MH-60R Romeo helicopter from systems integrator Lockheed Martin during a ceremony on February 3.
The aircraft will be operated by Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven Zero (HSM-70) based at Jacksonville in Florida, the fourth US Navy MH-60R squadron, and is the 10th Romeo to be taken by the unit which is working up to its first deployment aboard the USS George Bush next year.
The MH-60R, along with the NFH90, is a contender to replace the S-70B-2 Seahawk and the capability left vacant by the cancelled Seasprite in Royal Australian Navy service, with a decision on first pass approval for the project due before the end of February.
