OWEGO, N.Y., 30 Aug. 2005. Engineers from the Lockheed Martin Systems Integration group in Owego, N.Y., are integrating two important networked communications systems aboard U.S. Navy MH-60R and MH-60S maritime helicopters.

Lockheed Martin is installing the Link-16 Joint Tactical Information Distribution system (JTIDS) tactical data link subsystem, as well as the Single Channel Ground and Airborne Radio System (SINCGARS) aboard MH-60R and MH-60S helicopter airframes.

Lockheed Martin is doing the work under terms of a $50.7 million contract awarded Aug. 29 from the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command at Patuxent River Naval Air Station, Md. The contract number is N00019-05-C-0049.

In addition to Link-16 and SINCGARS, Lockheed Martin engineers also are installing the Downed Aircrew Locator System Personnel Locator System on MH-60S aircraft as part of this contract.

Lockheed Martin provides the digital common cockpit avionics suite to all MH-60S and MH-60R helicopters.

Link 16 provides at-a-glance situational awareness by providing threat, target, friendly identification, position, and status information among participating platforms in near real time, with antijam security without any voice communication.

SINCGARS is a networked voice and data communications radio that will help the Navy MH-60R and MH-60S helicopters communicate with Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps forces, as well as with allied military units.

The MH-60R is the Navy's newest submarine hunter and surface-attack helicopter, which will replace the Navy's relatively old SH-60B and SH-60F aircraft. The Navy is expected to order as many as 254 MH-60Rs through 2015, with production quantities increasing to 30 aircraft per year.

The first production MH-60R helicopter flew Aug. 19 at manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft's factory in Stratford, Conn.

The MH-60S Knighthawk is an amalgam of the Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter and its Navy variant, the SH-60B Seahawk. The Black Hawk airframe provides the large cabin volume and features necessary for cargo and passenger transport.

MH-60S helicopter missions include vertical replenishment, combat search and rescue, special warfare support and airborne mine countermeasures.

Lockheed Martin will do the Link-16 and SINCGARS integration work on the two helicopter models in Owego, N.Y., and will be finished in January 2008.