Budget Highlights Book - DON FM&C Website - U.S. Navy

February 2010Rebalancing Investment to Meet Global RequirementsThe Department supports the multi‐year procurement (FY 2007‐2011) of both theMH‐60R Seahawk and MH‐60S Knighthawk helicopters, which are part of a jointcontract with the Army’s UH‐60M Blackhawk. FY 2011 starts the next MH‐60R/Scommon cockpit and mission systems multi year procurement. The follow‐onMH‐60R/S airframe multi year procurement commences in FY 2012. The MH‐60Rreplaces the aging SH‐60B and SH‐60F helicopters, whose primary mission areas areundersea warfare and surface warfare. This platform will have numerous capabilityimprovements including airborne low frequency sonar, multi‐mode radar, electronicsupport measures, and forward looking infra‐red sensor.The MH‐60S, which is primarily employed as a logistics platform, will sustain theforward deployed fleet in missions ranging from rapid airborne delivery ofmaterials and personnel to support amphibious operations through search andrescue coverage. Armed helicopter and organic airborne mine countermeasures arenew mission areas and will be added as block upgrades.Unmanned Aerial VehiclesThe FY 2011 budget continues to transformthe force by investing in a broad range ofunmanned platforms in support of JointForce and Combatant Commanderdemands for increased ISR capability andcapacity. These programs support thewarfighter by providing a persistent ISRcapability through the continueddevelopment, acquisition, and fielding ofUnmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) systemssuch as the MQ‐8 Vertical Take Off and Landing Tactical UAV (VTUAV), RQ‐7Marine Corps Tactical Unmanned Aerial System (MCTUAS), the Small TacticalUnmanned Aircraft System (STUAS), RQ‐4 Broad Area Maritime Surveillance(BAMS) system, and technology demonstrations of the Navy Unmanned CombatAerial System (NUCAS) and a Medium Endurance Marinized Unmanned AerialSystem.The MQ‐8 VTUAV conducts missions including over‐the‐horizon tacticalreconnaissance, classification, targeting, laser designation, and battle management.The MQ‐8 launches and recovers vertically and can operate from air capable ships(DDG, CG, LCS), as well as confined area land bases.5–12 FY 2011 Department of the Navy Budget