Helikopter

 Mer om det sannsynlige helikopterkjøpet

Norge og Australia har fulgt hverandre i helikopterkjøp og andre kjøp gjennom de seneste årene. Vi scrappet NH90 nesten samtidig, (Belgia følger straks etter) vi har kjøpt Seahawk og nå også varianter av Black Hawk, F-35 og P-8. Defence Connect er en australsk kilde. Det vil ikke forundre meg dersom vi også går for Black Hawk til Hæren. Det har jeg forøvrig ment i flere år, dersom du har fulgt med på bloggen. Gammelt, men velprøvet i krig og fred. Og ikke minst hyllevare. Men vi må ikke være for sene. (Red.)

Norway to acquire HH-60W helicoptes, equipment under US$2.6bn FMS

Air

15 July 2025

By: Robert Dougherty

Photo: Lockheed Martin

The government of Norway will acquire HH-60W helicopters and equipment under a possible US$2.6 billion foreign military sale approved by the US State Department.

The US Congress was notified of the possible foreign military sale (FMS) by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency on 11 July.

Norway has requested to buy nine HH-60W helicopters, 22 T-700-GE-401 turboshaft engines, 21 embedded global positioning system/inertial navigation systems, 10 AN/APR-52 radar warning receivers, 10 AN/AAR-57 common missile warning systems and AN/ALE-47 airborne countermeasures dispenser systems.

The possible sale also includes GAU-21 aircraft machine guns and other machine guns, IZLID 200P infrared lasers, weapons and weapons support equipment, electronic warfare database support, devices and spare parts.

Joint Mission Planning System with unique planning components and software, Computer Program Identification Numbers, instruments and lab equipment, major and minor modifications, maintenance support, training aids, repair and return support, classified and unclassified software delivery and support.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” US Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a published statement.

“The proposed sale will improve Norway’s capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its airborne combat and special operations capabilities.

“Norway will use these aircraft to defend other NATO members and its allies. Norway will have no difficulty absorbing these articles and services into its armed forces. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

“Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional US government or contractor representatives to Norway. There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is expected to be the principal contractor.

 

HH-60W Jolly Green IIs assigned to the 41st Rescue Squadron fly to Moody Air Force Base Nov. 5, 2020, near Jupiter, Florida. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Hayden Legg)

WASHINGTON — The US State Department today cleared the potential sale of up to nine HH-60W helicopters to Norway, a deal valued at $2.6 billion, according to a notice from the Defense Security Cooperation Agency. 

The notification paves the way for a formal agreement between Oslo and Connecticut-based manufacturer Sikorsky for the sale, which would include up to 22 GE Aerospace T700 turboshaft engines, countermeasures and other associated equipment, the notice says. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin.

“We deeply value Norway’s continued trust in Sikorsky helicopters, including the Hawk aircraft which are operated by more than 35 other nations and offer unmatched global and regional interoperability,” a Sikorsky spokesperson told Breaking Defense. “The HH-60W was purpose built for the combat rescue mission and provides enhanced survivability while recovering isolated personnel from hostile or denied territory, day or night, in adverse weather, and in a full range of threat environments.”

The notice from DSCA is a congressional notification and is not final. Quantities and dollar totals often shift during negotiations. And today’s announcement technically tees up an opportunity for lawmakers to block the deal within a 30-day period, though such a step would be unlikely considering Norway is a key NATO ally. 

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe,” State’s notice says. “The proposed sale will improve Norway’s capability to meet current and future threats by increasing its airborne combat and special operations capabilities. Norway will use these aircraft to defend other NATO members and its allies.”

The HH-60W, also known as the Combat Rescue Helicopter, is a derivative of the iconic UH-60M Black Hawk and modified for perilous rescue missions.

Citing contested environments and more challenging terrain like the vast expanse of ocean in the Indo-Pacific, the US Air Force moved to end its procurement of the platform in 2022. But lawmakers have fought to keep the program alive, citing concerns about a gap in combat rescue capabilities if the HH-60W is not fielded in adequate numbers to replace its predecessor, the HH-60G.

RELATED: ‘No more impasses’: Air Force to get helo technical data from Lockheed, Boeing

The Air Force most recently ended up procuring four of the helos in fiscal 2025 for a total fleet of 89, budget documents say, but the service is not requesting any more of the platforms in FY26. (Australia)

A search of DSCA’s database shows that Norway is the first foreign customer approved to buy the HH-60W, and more foreign customers would help Sikorsky keep the helo’s production line going. 

Amid fluctuating fleet plans for a different helicopter, the HH-60W has also found a new role. According to recently released budget documents, the Air Force plans for the helicopter to take over the task of shuttling VIPs around the National Capital region, a job originally planned for Boeing’s MH-139 Grey Wolf.

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