Lockheed Martin UK launches team Black Hawk

At the Defence and Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition, Lockheed Martin has announced its intention to participate in the UK Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) New Medium Helicopter (NMH) requirement. It outlined its team of UK partners and the benefits of choosing the advanced, Sikorsky Black Hawk^® helicopter to replace the UK’s aging mixed medium helicopter fleet. Lockheed Martin also outlined its plan to collaborate with those UK partners to create a multitude of opportunities for UK industry, including jobs and opportunities in export, manufacturing and future technology development.

Lockheed Martin estimates nearly 40% of total Black Hawk production and assembly will occur in the UK and will support, on average, 660 UK jobs a year between 2025 and 2030.

The plan also creates ~£470 million of export opportunities for UK partners manufacturing sub-systems and components over the next ten years, equivalent to 40% of the total programme value, based on the expected export market to Black Hawk customers. The company’s estimate includes ongoing fleet sustainment that will support approximately 320 jobs a year for decades to come when the UK Black Hawk fleet is in-service.

On announcing Lockheed Martin UK’s proposal, Chief Executive Paul Livingston said: “The newest generation of the Black Hawk is proven, versatile and ready now. It is not only the right choice for UK Defence, it’s the right choice for UK industry and it will create a generation of high-skilled jobs here in Britain.”

Furthermore, UK participation in the Black Hawk programme would open the door for UK industry to take part in the development and production of Lockheed Martin’s next-generation rotorcraft solutions, creating a potential 45-year pipeline of work and exports for UK companies.

As part of today’s Team Black Hawk announcement, Lockheed Martin formally signed a teaming agreement with Gosport-based StandardAero as Team Black Hawk’s aircraft assembly, testing, delivery, maintenance and integration partner for UK-unique equipment and systems, which will bring highly skilled jobs to an economically deprived area of the UK.

StandardAero in Gosport will be the home of the Black Hawk in the UK and together with Lockheed Martin, Martin-Baker Aircraft Company in Denham, Curtiss-Wright in Christchurch, Chelton in Marlow, Inzspire in Lincoln, C3iA Solutions in Poole, Nova Systems in Filton, and Ascent Flight Training & CAE at RAF Benson will create 660 high-skilled jobs and decades of UK workshare through the UK Black Hawk’s lifecycle.