US Clears Norway's $2.6B HH-60W FMS Request

The Department of State has approved Norway’s $2.6 billion Foreign Military Sale request for HH-60W helicopters and related equipment, with Sikorsky Aircraft as the principal contractor.

Under the proposed sale, Norway could purchase up to nine HH-60W helicopters, 22 T-700-GE-401 turboshaft engines, 21 Embedded GPS/Inertial Navigation Systems, 10 AN/APR-52 radar warning receivers and 10 AN/AAR-57 common missile warning systems, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Friday.

The State Department also authorized Norway to buy non-major defense equipment items, including GAU-21 aircraft machine guns and other machine guns, IZLID 200P infrared lasers, AN/ALE-47 airborne countermeasures dispenser systems, and Joint Mission Planning System with unique planning components and software.

What Are the Capabilities of the HH-60W?

The HH-60W combat rescue helicopter builds on the UH-60M Black Hawk, according to Lockheed Martin, the parent company of Sikorsky. Designed to meet long-range and high-threat requirements for the U.S. Air Force, the HH-60W provides a robust weapons suite and integrates defensive systems and sensors to provide an unprecedented combination of range and survivability, Lockheed added.

Norway will use the aircraft to defend other NATO members and its allies. According to DSCA, the potential FMS will enhance the country’s capability to meet current and future threats by improving its airborne combat and special operations capabilities. Boosting the security of the NATO ally supports the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States, the agency said.

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