Multi-Mission Helicopter Upgrade Development

Multi-Mission Helicopter Upgrade Development is aimed at funding the development and improvement of MH-60R/S systems for the Navy. The program's primary objectives include providing persistent distributed, integrated, and maneuverable capabilities in support of the Navy's Fleet Design and Distributed Maritime Operations concepts through missions such as Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance & Targeting (ISR&T), Antisubmarine Warfare, Surface Warfare (SUW), Electronic Warfare, Command and Control, and Non-Combat Operations. Additionally, the program aims to pursue upgrades and enhancements that pace the rapidly evolving threat and improve safety-of-flight for its pilots and aircrew. This includes improvements to existing sensors, network capabilities, weapon systems, avionics, communications, navigation systems, and integration of modern precision guided air-to-ground missiles.

The FY 2024 budget request for Program PE 0604216N funds several specific goals and objectives. These include system configuration capability increases such as fuel management and safety enhancements, advanced offboard electronic warfare developments, modernized tactical networks integration efforts, radar hardware and software enhancements in support of Minotaur Family of Systems (MFoS), air vehicle mission systems and avionics DMSMS solutions. The program also focuses on developing critical aircraft survivability equipment upgrades including the platform design for the integration of Common ASE/Distributed Aperture Infrared Counter Measures (DAIRCM) and initial investigation of a Passive Detection modern Radar Warning Receiver (RWR). Furthermore, it aims to integrate tactical networking to enable over-the-horizon targeting and enhance target sorting while serving as a force multiplier in network-enabled weapon engagements. Lastly, the program emphasizes developmental activities including capability studies, interoperability studies, open hardware and software architectures definition in support of MH-60 mid-life upgrades.

Overall, Program PE 0604216N seeks to enhance the capabilities of MH-60R/S systems to meet evolving threats while ensuring safety-of-flight for pilots and aircrew. The program's specific objectives include addressing obsolescence issues through system configuration enhancements, integrating advanced electronic warfare capabilities, developing critical aircraft survivability equipment upgrades, integrating tactical networking for enhanced targeting capabilities, and pursuing developmental activities to support mid-life upgrades.