The U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday awarded a major MH-60T contract to Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky facility in Troy, Alabama.

The initial order stemming from the award is valued at more than $206 million and will procure 25 new hulls for the Coast Guard’s MH-60T helicopter, allowing the lifesaving aircrafts to be flown for a minimum of 10 additional years while ensuring significant work for the Pike County facility. This Sikorsky location handles the maintenance and repair of the MH-60T helicopters.

U.S. Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) on Friday applauded the Coast Guard’s decision in a statement.

“The Coast Guard’s announcement regarding the MH-60 Jayhawk helicopters highlights Troy’s first-class workforce and proven track record,” said Shelby.

“Not only does this contract provide additional work for Sikorsky’s Troy facility and its employees, but it ensures the Coast Guard is able to meet its operational needs and requirements,” he continued. “I am pleased that the Coast Guard has selected Troy and look forward to the impact this $200 million will have on the Wiregrass region.”

The Senate Committee on Appropriations, of which Shelby is the leading Republican, has provided increased funding over each of the past three fiscal years for the Coast Guard to procure new hulls for the MH-60 helicopter – a close cousin of the Blackhawk and Seahawk variants. Shelby, as Appropriations chairman, recently provided an additional $48 million for the sustainment of Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters included in the FY 2021 omnibus appropriations bill.

The Sikorsky plant in Troy employs approximately 400 people and primarily produces variants of the MH-60 medium lift helicopter.

The contract issued Thursday by the Coast Guard also includes an option for up to 20 additional hulls for the MH-60T to be ordered in the future.

In addition to the Sikorsky operation, Lockheed Martin also has a Pike County strike systems facility.

Sean Ross is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @sean_yhn