SH-60 Seahawk

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SH-60 / MH-60 Seahawk

U.S. Navy SH-60F with external fuel tank.
Type Multimission maritime helicopter
Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Maiden flight 1974
Introduced 1979
Status Active service
Primary users United States Navy
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Produced 1970s-present
Unit cost USD$36 million[citation needed]
Developed from UH-60 Black Hawk
Variants HH-60 Jayhawk

The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk (or Sea Hawk) is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the airframe of the United States Army/Air Force UH-60 Black Hawk.

The U.S. Navy uses the H-60 airframe under the model designations SH-60B, SH-60F, HH-60H, MH-60R, and MH-60S. Able to deploy aboard any air-capable frigate, destroyer, cruiser, fast combat support ship, amphibious assault ship or aircraft carrier, the Seahawk can handle antisubmarine warfare (ASW), undersea warfare (USW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), naval special warfare (NSW) insertion, search and rescue (SAR), combat search and rescue (CSAR), vertical replenishment (VERTREP) and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). All Navy H-60s carry either the Lucas Western or Breeze Eastern rescue hoist for SAR/CSAR missions.

Contents

[edit] Variants

[edit] SH-60B Seahawk

The SH-60B Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS Mk III) deploys primarily aboard frigates, destroyers and cruisers, and, prior to the fleet introduction of the MH-60R "Romeo" (see section below), was considered the Navy's most advanced helicopter. There were five prototype YSH-60B Seahawks produced.

The SH-60B Seahawk.
The SH-60B Seahawk.

The primary missions of the B-model (or Bravo) are surface warfare and antisubmarine warfare, which it accomplishes through a complex system of sensors carried aboard the helicopter including a towed Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) and air-launched sonobuoys. Other sensors include the APS-124 search radar, ALQ-142 ESM system and optional nose-mounted forward looking infrared (FLIR) turret. It carries the Mk-46, Mk-50, or Mk-54 torpedo, AGM-114 Hellfire missile, and a single cabin-door-mounted M60D or GAU-16 machine gun.

A standard crew for a Bravo is one pilot, one ATO/Co-Pilot (Airborne Tactical Officer) and an enlisted aviation systems warfare operator (sensor operator). Operating Bravo squadrons are designated Helicopter Antisubmarine Light (HSL). HSL-47, an SH-60B squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island in Coronado, California, participated in the Navy's humanitarian relief operations during the 2004 Indonesian Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina. [1]

[edit] SH-60F Oceanhawk

The SH-60F is the carrier-based version of the Bravo, having replaced the SH-3 Sea King as the carrier battle group's primary antisubmarine warfare (ASW) and search and rescue (SAR) aircraft. It hunts subs with the AQS-13F dipping sonar, not the Bravo's MAD detector, and carries just 14 sonobuoys, instead of the Bravo's 25.

The F-model (or Foxtrot) carries the Mk-46 torpedo and a choice of cabin-mounted machine guns, including the M60D, M240 and GAU-16, for defense. A standard crew for the Foxtrot is one pilot, one copilot, one enlisted tactical sensor operator (TSO) and one enlisted acoustic sensor operator (ASO). Foxtrot squadrons are designated Helicopter Antisubmarine (HS), but as squadrons shift from the SH-60F to the MH-60S beginning in 2007, they will be redesignated Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC).

[edit] HH-60H "Rescue Hawk"

An HH-60H deploying a SAR swimmer.
An HH-60H deploying a SAR swimmer.

The HH-60H is the primary combat search and rescue (CSAR), naval special warfare (NSW) and anti-surface warfare (ASUW) helicopter. It carries a variety of defensive and offensive sensors making it one of the most survivable helicopters in the world. Sensors include a FLIR turret with laser designator and the Aircraft Survival Equipment (ASE) package including the ALQ-144 Infrared Jammer, AVR-2 Laser Detectors, APR-39(V)2 Radar Detectors, AAR-47 Missile Launch Detectors and ALE-47 chaff/flare dispensers. Additionally, airframe improvements in engine exhaust deflectors provide infrared thermal reduction reducing the threat of heat-seeking missiles. The H-model (or Hotel) can carry up to four AGM-114 Hellfire missiles on an extended wing using the M-299 launcher and a variety of cabin and port window mounted guns including M60D, M240, GAU-16 and GAU-17/A machine guns. The standard crew for a Hotel is one pilot, one copilot, and two "door gunner" crewmen. Hotels are operated in Helicopter Antisubmarine (HS) squadrons with a standard dispersal of four Foxtrots and three Hotels.

[edit] MH-60S Knighthawk

An MH-60S Knighthawk conducts VERTREP
An MH-60S Knighthawk conducts VERTREP

The MH-60S was developed after the Navy decided to phase out the venerable CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter. The S-model (or Sierra) is deployed aboard amphibious assault ships and fast combat supply ships. It has two missions- troop transports and vertical replenishment (VERTREP) but can also perform search and rescue (SAR). The Sierra has no offensive sensors but can carry the ALQ-144 Infrared Jammer. The Sierra will, in the near future, deploy with the AQS-20A Mine Detection System and an Airborne Laser Detection system for identifying submerged objects in coastal waters. However, the Sierra is the first US Navy helicopter to field the glass cockpit where-by the flight data information is relayed to pilots using four digital screens rather than electromechanical gauges and dials.

An MH-60S with the Armed Helo Kit fires an AGM-114 Hellfire missile.
An MH-60S with the Armed Helo Kit fires an AGM-114 Hellfire missile.

The primary means of defense is with the M60D, M240 or GAU-17, a 'batwing' refit (Armed Helo Kit) based on the Army's UH-60L Black Hawk was developed to accommodate Hellfire or Penguin missiles, or larger guns and cannon. MH-60S was unofficially known as the Knighthawk, reflecting its role as the designated successor of the Sea Knight, but this name was formally disapproved allowing the MH-60S to retain the Seahawk name.[citation needed] A standard crew for the Sierra is one pilot, one copilot and two crewmen. With the retirement of the Sea Knight the squadron designation of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) was also retired from the navy. Operating Sierra squadrons were re-designated Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC).

Unlike all other Navy H-60s, the MH-60S is not based on the original S-70B platform with its forward-mounted twin tail-gear and single starboard sliding cabin door.[citation needed] Instead, the Sierra is a hybrid, featuring the main fuselage of the S-70A/UH-60, with large sliding doors on both sides of the cabin and a single aft-mounted tail wheel; and the engines, drivetrain and rotors of the S-70B/SH-60.[citation needed]

[edit] MH-60R Seahawk

An MH-60R conducts sonar operations.
An MH-60R conducts sonar operations.

As of 2007, the MH-60R is undergoing final testing for incorporation into the fleet. The first operational fleet squadron to receive the Romeo will be HSM-71 in fiscal year 2008. The Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), HSM-41, received the R-model (or Romeo) aircraft in December 2005 and has begun training the first set of pilots. It is designed to replace Foxtrots and Bravos and be a true multi-mission helicopter. Its sensors include the ASE package, MTS-FLIR, an advanced airborne fleet data link, and a more advanced airborne active sonar. It does not carry the MAD suite. Pilot instrumentation will be based on the Sierra’s “glass cockpit” using several digital monitors instead of the complex array of dials and gauges in Bravo and Foxtrot aircraft. Offensive capabilities are improved by the addition of new Mk-54 air-launched torpedoes and Hellfire missiles. All Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light (HSL) squadrons that will receive the Romeo will be redesignated Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM).

[edit] Operators

Flag of the United States United States

[edit] Operational US Navy squadrons

SH-60B

SH-60F/HH-60H

MH-60R

MH-60S

[edit] Non-US operators

Flag of Australia Australia
Flag of Brazil Brazil
Flag of Spain Spain
Flag of Greece Greece
  • 3 S-70B & 8 S-70B-6 Aegean Hawk
Flag of Japan Japan
  • S-70B-2/3
Flag of the Republic of China Republic of China (Taiwan)
Flag of Thailand Thailand
  • S-70B-7
Flag of Turkey Turkey
  • 25 S-70B-28 Sea Hawk

[edit] Specifications (SH-60B)

Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory,[2] Navy fact file[3]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3
  • Capacity: 8 passengers or slung load of 6,000 lb or internal load of 4,100 lb for -B, -F and -H models and 11 passengers or slung load of 9,000 lb for -S
  • Length: 64 ft 10 in (19.76 m)
  • Rotor diameter: 53 ft 8 in (16.36 m)
  • Height: 17 ft 2 in (5.23 m)
  • Disc area: 2,262 ft² (210 m²)
  • Empty weight: 13,648 lb (6,190 kg)
  • Loaded weight: 20,110 lb (9,575 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 21,884 lb (9,927 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2× General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft, 1,620 hp (1,208 kW) continuous each

Performance

Armament

See Main Article: U.S. Helicopter Armament Subsystems

[edit] See also

Related development

Comparable aircraft

Related lists

[edit] References

  1. ^ HSL-47 Logs Record Flight Hours, Assists Tsunami Victims
  2. ^ Taylor, M J H (editor) (1999). Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory 1999/2000 Edition. Brassey's. ISBN 1 85753 245 7. 
  3. ^ SH-60 Seahawk, US Navy, 27 September 2006.
  • A1-H60CA-NFM-000 NATOPS Flight Manual Navy Model H-60F/H Aircraft

[edit] External links

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