Kirtland AFB, N.M., will be the first base to receive the next-generation combat rescue helicopter, a New Mexico senator announced. Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) said in a statement this week that Kirtland’s 58th Special Operations Wing will get the first new helicopter in 2020. The base currently has 14 HH-60G Pave Hawks, and each will be replaced by 2028. The wing at Kirtland is the main training site for rescue pilots. The new HH-60W helicopter, which is based on the Army’s Blackhawk UH-60M, in May completed a preliminary design review, which identified operations and maintenance challenges for contractor Sikorsky Aircraft. Sikorsky in June 2014 received a $1.28 billion contract for the replacement program.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
