Copenhagen, Denmark - Four U.S. companies providing nine U.S. Navy MH-60R SEAHAWK^®helicopters and associated services to Danish Defence have launched the first phase of industrial cooperation projects in Denmark with the approval of the Danish Business Authority (DBA).

“Currently, the four companies have fulfilled or initiated activities covering 50 percent of the total obligation,” said Mr. Anders Hoffmann, Deputy General Director of the Danish Business Authority.

By 2022, the four companies expect to meet their separate obligations to bring work and projects totaling DKK 3 billion (USD$430 million) to Denmark’s defence industry.

The team consists of MH-60R airframe manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft, engine manufacturer GE, flight simulator supplier CAE, and systems integrator Lockheed Martin, which will configure each aircraft with a digital cockpit and integrated mission systems for Denmark’s anti-surface warfare mission.

“In the two years since the Danish Government selected the MH-60R multimission helicopter, the team has received the go-ahead to actively begin projects with numerous Danish companies,” said Anthony DeSarli, Regional Director Industrial Cooperation, Sikorsky Aircraft. “We thank the Danish Business Authority for its continued guidance as our team builds strong relationships with Denmark’s defence and aerospace industry, incorporates Danish technology into existing systems, and opens up markets for Danish products and services.”

Sikorsky Aircraft has received DBA’s approval to begin projects with four companies. Terma, Denmark's largest aerospace and defence company, will manufacture composite panels for Sikorsky’s S-92 heavy lift helicopter, as well as join Sikorsky in a partnership regarding aircraft survivability equipment that was initiated last year; Sky-Watch has developed software for a helicopter laser-based obstacle sensing detector; and Multicut, a leading machining company, will receive factory upgrades to bid for BLACK HAWK helicopter parts. From Brüel & Kjaer, a Denmark-based engineering and electronics company, Sikorsky will purchase noise and vibration instrumentation. Sikorsky will announce other Danish industry projects and agreements at a later date.

Lockheed Martin has received DBA’s pre-approval for projects with three Danish companies. Systematic and Lockheed Martin will cooperate on a project to establish an Electronic Warfare Support System solution in Denmark. SSBV-Rovsing will receive assistance towards maturing and marketing its Solar Array Simulator in the U.S. market. A project with Terma involves development of the next generation Star Tracker, an optical device that precisely determines a satellite’s orientation in space. Lockheed Martin is also in the final stages of negotiating a project with Weibel Scientific A/S.

GE Aviation is cooperating with the development project for the Next Generation Star Tracker with Lockheed Martin and Terma.

CAE has already contracted with two Danish companies — IFAD A/S and Systematic — to help develop a full-motion flight training simulator for Denmark’s MH-60R helicopter pilots and sensor operators.  Upon completion, CPH Group will support installation of the flight simulator at Karup Air Base, and IFAD will perform long-term operation and maintenance of the simulator.

The team is aided in Denmark by the Danish Defence and Security Industries Association (Forsvar- & Aerospaceindustrien i Danmark), which has introduced the U.S. companies to Danish industry. 

In 2012, Denmark’s Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organization signed a letter of offer and acceptance to buy nine MH-60R multirole naval helicopters from the U.S. Navy. Denmark is procuring the aircraft via the U.S. Government’s Foreign Military Sales program.

Sikorsky delivered Denmark’s first three baseline MH-60R aircraft to the U.S. Navy during 2014. The aircraft undergo modifications unique to Denmark’s requirements at Sikorsky’s flight test facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. These include a hydraulic deck lock system that will enable aircrew to automatically secure the aircraft to the flight deck of Danish naval vessels.

Denmark is the second country to procure MH-60R SEAHAWK helicopters, after Australia procured 24 in 2011. The U.S. Navy is expected to deliver all nine helicopters to Danish Defense by mid-year 2018. Since 2006, the team has delivered more than 200 mission-ready aircraft to U.S. Navy MH-60R squadrons.