Sikorsky awarded $98M contract for seven Black Hawk helicopters due to additional funding from Congress

The Army has awarded Sikorsky a $98.9 million contract for seven Black Hawk helicopters as a result of funding Congress has added to the service's budget, according to the company.

Sikorsky, a part of Lockheed Martin, agreed in late June to provide the Army, other government agencies and foreign militaries with 120 UH-60 and MEDEVAC Black Hawks in a $2.3 billion contract that runs through 2027.

The June contract included options for 135 additional aircraft, which would bring its value up to $4.4 billion.

The contract awarded this month to Sikorsky is part of the multiyear deal agreed to in June, according to company spokeswoman Britt Rabinovici. She told Inside Defense on Monday that the contract is for seven option helicopters that will be delivered next year. The contract came about “as a result of congressional plus-ups,” she said.

Sikorsky and Boeing have a joint bid for the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft, which will succeed the Black Hawk, and are competing with Bell. Army officials had previously indicated a decision on the FLRAA award would be made this fall, but the timing remains unclear. The service, however, will continue to fly the Black Hawk after the FLRAA begins operation.