US has Approved Sale of HH-60W Jolly Green II Helicopters to Norway for $2.6 Billion
The U.S. Department of State has approved the possible sale of nine HH-60W helicopters to Norway.
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency reported on this.
The estimated cost of the deal is $2.6 billion. In addition to the helicopters themselves, it will also include related equipment, support, and personnel training.
Thus, 22 T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines, 21 built-in GPS/INS systems, 10 AN/APR-52 enemy radar warning systems, and 10 AN/AAR-57 missile warning systems will be additionally transferred.
In addition, the package includes GAU-21 machine guns, IZLID 200P infrared lasers, AN/ALE-47 Airborne Countermeasures Dispenser System, mission planning software, training, spare parts, maintenance, and engineering and logistical support from the US government and contractors.
The primary contractor for the contract will be Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.
The HH-60W helicopter is a combat search and rescue helicopter designed primarily for combat search and rescue of military personnel and pilots in isolated areas, day and night, in all weather conditions, as well as in combat zones and during chemical, biological, or nuclear attacks.
The helicopter is based on the proven UH-60M Black Hawk multi-purpose helicopter, but has been significantly upgraded for rescue missions.
Since the helicopter is to be used for rescue operations, it is equipped with enlarged internal fuel tanks, which double its flight range to 933 km without the use of external tanks, which previously took up space in the cabin. A refueling boom has also been added to refuel the helicopter in the air.
It should be noted that in March 2023, Norway ordered six MH-60R Seahawk anti-submarine patrol helicopters to replace the obsolete NH90 helicopters that were being phased out of the Armed Forces.
The purchase of this type of helicopter will significantly increase the level of standardization of equipment and the sharing of spare parts.
The cost of purchasing MH-60R Seahawk is estimated at $1.1–1.2 billion, with the first deliveries scheduled to begin in the summer of 2025.
