DOD Seeks OK To Lock In Five-Year Navy Helo Buy, Saving $1 Billion

摘要

The Defense Department has asked Congress to approve five-year procurement contracts for submarine-hunting MH-60R helicopters and naval fleet support MH-60S rotorcraft, a move that DOD says will reduce costs by more than $1 billion and provide steady work for aircraft maker Sikorsky Aircraft and avionics provider Lockheed Martin. The Pentagon recently sought formal permission for the multiyear procurement deals, which require explicit statutory approval. Officials argued that a five-year commitment — from fiscal year 2012 to 2016 ~ to buy the airframes would save $915 million, or 10.5 percent; and a similar deal for avionics and cockpits would save $165 million, or 11 percent.