Army announces potential Black Hawk buy

Army Contracting Command-Redstone has proposed an acquisition of potentially hundreds of UH/HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters.

On July 10, the Army posted a presolicitation notice for the procurement of up to 510 aircraft between 2022 and 2026.

That number is currently a maximum estimate, as the specific quantities needed are still unknown. The notice states 255 would be for the Army as the base need with an additional 255 for other Defense Department requirements, other government agency requirements and possibly foreign sales.

"ACC-R anticipates this acquisition will be sole sourced to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation," the notice states.

While the Army has not requested approval from Congress for multiyear authority, it is potentially seeking a multiyear procurement contract, according to Paul Stevenson, a spokesman for the program executive office for aviation.

"The Army prefers multiyear procurements over single-year contracts because of the time and cost savings, program stability and quantity flexibility they provide compared to single-year contracts, but the determination as to whether this contract will be awarded as a multiyear or single-year contract will be made at a later date," he said.

A single-year contract may be an option as well, according to the notice.

The Army foresees release of a request for proposals sometime before the end of calendar year 2018.