U.S. Navy Receives Lockheed Martin's 350th MH-60R Helicopter

At a recent ceremony, Lockheed Martin handed over its 350th MH-60R "Romeo" helicopter to the United States Navy. The aircraft was formally accepted by Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41 during a ceremony at the company’s Owego, New York facility, underscoring the continued importance of the MH-60R as the world’s most advanced multi-mission maritime helicopter.

HSM-41 serves as the U.S. Navy’s Helicopter Maritime Strike Fleet Replacement Squadron, responsible for training naval aviators and aircrewmen who will operate the MH-60R across the U.S. Pacific Fleet and beyond. The delivery of the 350th aircraft not only highlights the maturity of the Romeo programme but also reflects its central role in modern naval operations at a time of growing undersea and surface threats.

Developed by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, the MH-60R has established itself as the premier global anti-submarine warfare (ASW) helicopter. Its success is built on a combination of advanced sensors, integrated mission systems, precision weapons and robust network-centric capability. Together, these elements provide commanders with a powerful and flexible tool for detecting, tracking and neutralising threats across the maritime domain.

“The delivery of the 350th MH-60R helicopter is a testament to the exceptional capabilities of this aircraft and the dedication of our team,” said Ali Ruwaih, vice president of Maritime Systems at Lockheed Martin. “We are proud to support the U.S. Navy and our global partners with this highly advanced multi-mission platform, which will remain a critical component of global ASW operations for decades to come.”

Operational experience has consistently validated the MH-60R’s reputation. Equipped with sophisticated sensors, radar, electronic support measures, secure data links and a comprehensive weapons suite, the Romeo has demonstrated its combat effectiveness in demanding real-world environments. Most recently, MH-60R crews conducted successful maritime security operations in the Gulf of Aden and the Red Sea, where the aircraft’s rapid detection and engagement capabilities were used to counter hostile drones and neutralise armed skiffs threatening merchant shipping.

Beyond combat operations, the MH-60R continues to prove its value in multinational exercises. During the Resolute Hunter exercise, the aircraft integrated seamlessly with allied surface combatants, enhancing ASW coordination and demonstrating its versatility in joint and coalition environments. These operations highlight the Romeo’s ability to operate as part of a broader network of maritime assets, sharing data in real time to improve situational awareness and mission effectiveness.

“The MH-60R has been the U.S. Navy's primary anti-submarine and surface warfare helicopter since 2010,” said Captain William Hargreaves, H-60 Multi-Mission Helicopters programme manager. “This true multi-mission asset has proven itself in all aspects of land and maritime operations. We are grateful to the artisans at Sikorsky for keeping this invaluable capability ready for our service men and women for decades to come.”

A key strength of the MH-60R lies in its network-centric design and open-architecture avionics. These features allow the aircraft to communicate seamlessly with ships, submarines and other airborne ASW assets, while also enabling rapid integration of new sensors and weapons as threats evolve. Aligned with Lockheed Martin’s 21st Century Security framework, this adaptability ensures the Romeo remains relevant well into the future.

With a service life expected to extend into the 2050s and an active production line, the MH-60R continues to attract strong international interest. More than one million collective flight hours have been accumulated across global fleets, with aircraft delivered to the United States, Australia, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, India, Greece and South Korea. Additional deliveries are scheduled for Spain and Norway, further cementing the MH-60R’s position as the benchmark maritime helicopter for allied navies worldwide.