US Customs agency request information to upgrade aging helicopter fleet

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency is seeking information and feedback from contractors on how to convert its current fleet of Blackhawk helicopters to the newer UH-60L-Prime model. CBP detailed the helicopter conversion effort in a Request For Information (RFI) document released on Tuesday.

The agency’s Air and Marine Operations (AMO) division currently operates a mixed fleet of Sikorsky H60 Blackhawk helicopters, “several of which are approaching their service life,” the agency said in the RFI document. CBP management has directed replacing aging units within the fleet with lower-time aircraft while simultaneously reducing the disparate aircraft types into a single “Lima” platform to promote fleet standardization and reduce operating costs.

The AMO H60 Blackhawk helicopters are a vital platform used for emergency response, rescue, enforcement, transport, and surveillance. In addition, the newer UH60L-Prime will serve as a force multiplier for law enforcement and emergency personnel by providing rapid-response deployment of equipment, canines, and people.

“AMO seeks a lower time, standardized Medium Lift Helicopter fleet to improve aircraft safety and reliability, improve mission effectiveness, and be more cost-effective to operate and maintain,” the agency said. “These characteristics translate into improved operational effectiveness and enable AMO to provide expeditious, effective, and reliable support.”

The plan is to fully convert 15 UH-60L and two HH-60 aircraft to the UH-60L Prime variant.

The following systems and upgrades are planned to be installed during the modification from a stock U.S. Army UH60L to the CBP variant UH60L-Prime:

• Dual Garmin 750Xi GPS / Comm / Nav units
• Dual Astronautics “Roadrunner” Digital ADI / HSI units
• Garmin 345RT Transponder unit
• TDFM 9300 Secure Mission Radio
• Eagle ICS Router and Audio Panels (6ea).
• Shotover Mission Management / Moving Map system
• Macro Blue Mission Management Display Screen
• L3 ESI-500 EFIS Standby Instrument
• Shadin Dual Engine Fuel Flow System
• Robertson 200 Gallon Internal Auxiliary Fuel Tank System
• FRIES Fast Rope Bar System
• Martin Baker Gunner’s Seats with Floor Pallet
• Outerlink CP3i Satellite Tracking Device
• 406 MHz ELT
• Motorola APX Handheld Radio Cradle
• HEELS Cabin Emergency Lighting system
• Integrated Rescue Hoist Mount system
• Breeze Eastern Electric Rescue Hoist
• Trakkabeam Searchlight system
• Meeker Sponson Mounts and Steps
• Aft Transition Area Avionics Door
• Antenna For New Radios
• Aircraft Paint Per CBP Paint Scheme

Companies interested in supporting the conversion effort are invited to respond to the CBP RFI by Dec. 6. CBP makes it clear the RFI is for “information and planning purposes only and shall not be construed as a solicitation or as an obligation on the part of the government to issue a Request for Proposal or to award a contract.”