The U.S. Navy has awarded a $9,7 million contract for service life analysis of MH-60S Sierra aircraft, the U.S. Defense Department (DoD) announced this week.

According to the statement, announced on 16 August by the DoD, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.,  is awarded $9,699,191 for cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order 4042 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0004).

This delivery order procures non-recurring engineering necessary to conduct comprehensive fatigue life analysis to define the expected service life of the MH-60 Sierra Multi-Mission Helicopter in support of the Navy.  Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut, and is expected to be completed in January 2022.

The MH-60 Sierra is a multi-mission helicopter used by the Navy for vertical replenishment, airborne mine counter measures (AMCM), combat search and rescue (CSAR), maritime interdiction operations (MIO), and surface warfare (SUW) missions.

MH-60 Sierra” helicopters carry supplies and sailors between ships and protect U.S. ships from surface threats in an armed configuration.

The MH-60S Sierra is a modification of the standard Blackhawk medium transport helicopter. It has been designated the Knighthawk. It is designed specifically for amphibious assault operations but it fulfills multi-role operational capabilities. It has been in service since 2002.

The BLACK HAWK multirole helicopter serves with the U.S. military and the armed forces of 28 other countries worldwide as a tough, reliable utility helicopter.

During the last 40 years, this remarkable aircraft has fought its way in and out of countless combat zones to deliver and extract troops, save lives as a MEDEVAC or casualty evacuation platform, provide critical supplies to troops, deliver emergency supplies during natural disasters, and perform as an aerial firefighter and border patroller.