Top Anti-Submarine Warfare Helicopters

Anti-Submarine Helicopters

Militarymedia.net | The main role of Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) helicopters is to protect the fleet from enemy submarines. The helicopter is equipped with advanced sensors and armed with missiles and torpedoes to track and hunt down enemy ships. Usually anti-submarine warfare helicopters also perform anti-ship and search and rescue duties.

So which is the best anti-submarine warfare helicopter in the world? Which is the most capable ASW helicopter? Our Top 10 analysis is based on specifications and available data. This list does not include the helicopter, which is currently under development or at the prototype stage. This only includes helicopters that are in service.

Currently the top 10 anti-submarine warfare helicopters in the world are as follows:

MH-60R Seahawk helicopters

MH-60R Seahawk helicopters

The MH-60R Seahawk is a multi-mission helicopter, operated by the US Navy. It is also known as Romeo. It is a further development of the SH-60B Seahawk, Development started in 1993. It is designed to combine the features of the SH-60B and SH-60F anti-submarine warfare helicopters. The first low-level initial production helicopter was reproduced from the SH-60B. But the next helicopter was just built. The MH-60R was first deployed in 2009. It is currently used by the US Navy (over 100 units) and the Australian Navy.

The main missions of the MH-60R Seahawk are Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW). These helicopters can detect and track submarines and surface ships as well as attack with torpedoes and missiles.

The Seahawk has a state-of-the-art mission and sensor system. It carries advanced aerial active sonar, a multi-mode search radar and a nose-mounted forward-looking infrared (FLIR) turret. Its multi-mode search radar has automatic periscope detection and discrimination capabilities. Also carries air-launched sonobuoys. However the magnetic anomaly detector suite has been removed. Data is transferred via advanced air fleet data links.

The MH-60R has increased offensive capabilities compared to the SH-60B or SH-60F. It has stub wings and can carry two Mk.46, Mk.50 or Mk.54 light torpedoes, two AGM-119B Penguin anti-ship missiles or four AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles.

AW101 Helicopters

AW101 Helicopters

AgustaWestland AW101 was jointly developed by a British and Italian company. Previously known as the Eurocopter EH101. But then Agusta and Westland Helicopters merged and formed AgustaWestland.

This naval helicopter was designed to replace the Sea King and made its first flight in 1987. It is in service with a number of countries. Some countries use the name Merlin for this helicopter.

The AW101 is a modern naval helicopter. Equipped with sonar and sonobuoy. However systems and equipment vary from customer to customer. It has the power and performance for autonomous anti-submarine warfare missions.

There is also a utility version of this helicopter.

NH90 Helicopters

NH90 is an international project. It was jointly developed by France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands. It was developed as a NATO Helicopter for the 90s, hence the name. A large number of these helicopters have been built.

This helicopter was developed for autonomous anti-submarine warfare and anti-ship roles. Its state-of-the-art mission suite includes a 360° search radar, immersion sonar, forward-looking infrared, magnetic anomaly detector and electronic surveillance measures. The NH90 is capable of operating day and night in all weather conditions even during high seas.

There is also a version of the NH90 Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) for assault transport and utility roles.

Z-18F Helicopters

The Z-18F is a special anti-submarine version of China's Z-18 helicopter. The Chinese call this helicopter the Sea Eagle. The aircraft was developed by Changhe Aircraft Industry Group (CAIG). The Z-18 is already in service with the Chinese military and appears to be produced in large numbers. It will gradually replace the older Z-8 naval helicopters.

The helicopter is equipped with a surface search radar, submersible sonar, sonobuoy and FLIR turret. It can carry up to 4 light torpedoes or missiles.

It appears that this helicopter is equipped with a datalink and can target cruise missiles from frigates and destroyer escorts at their targets.

AW159 Wildcat Helicopters

AgustaWestland AW159 is a modern naval helicopter. It was developed to replace the successful Lynx Westland. Although it looks similar to the Westland Lynx, it has significant design differences. 95% new components and only 5% interchangeable with the latest version of Lynx. In 2014 it was adopted by the Royal Navy as a Wildcat. Also selected by the South Korean Navy and actually won the competition against the American MH-60R Seahawk.

The AW159 is a small helicopter, but carries modern sensors, including active sonar. It can carry two Sting Ray torpedoes or a depth payload. Or it can be armed with four Thales Martlet light multi-role air-to-surface missiles or four Sea Venom light anti-ship missiles. This weapon is effective against small ships and fast attack ships. Both of these missiles can target ships and land targets.

There is also a transport and light attack version of this helicopter for the army. Both the naval and army versions have the same airframe.

Ka-27PL Helicopters

The Kamov Ka-27 helicopter was developed for the Soviet Navy. It was adopted in 1982. The first production variant was the Ka-27PL. known in the west as Helix-A. The export version is the Ka-28. Currently in service with various countries.

The Ka-27 retains the well-proven Kamov counter-rotating coaxial rotor configuration. This helicopter does not have a tail rotor, which makes it possible to reduce the footprint on the ship. This anti-submarine warfare helicopter is extremely stable and easy to fly, and automatic altitude hold, automatic transition to and from hover and autohover is possible in all weather conditions.

The Ka-27PL has all the usual ASW and ESM equipment including sonar and sonobuoy and search radar.

The Ka-27M is the latest version being tested and evaluated by the Russian Navy. It has got a new radar and some other improvements.

Sea King of Westland Helicopters

Sea King of Westland

The Westland Sea King is a licensed production version of the Sikorsky S-61 known in the US Navy as the SH-3 Sea King. Westland Helicopters acquired the rights to manufacture these helicopters in the UK. However it is equipped with British avionics and carries different ASW equipment than its American counterpart. This helicopter has been exported to a number of countries. The Royal Navy has retired its Sea King ASW helicopter fleet. It has been replaced by the modern AgustaWestland AW101, also known as the Merlin. However various anti-submarine warfare versions of the Westland Sea King are still in service worldwide.

This helicopter has a watertight hull. It has a pontoon with a floating bag, which gives the Sea King the ability to land on water.

The Westland Sea King has a crew of 2 to 4, depending on the mission.

The Westland Sea King can carry four Mk.44, Mk.46 or Stingray torpedoes, or four depth payloads. The export version can carry Sea Eagle or Exocet missiles for anti-ship duty.

This naval helicopter has a movable tail section. For storage under the carrier deck, the tail and main rotor blades are folded.

SH-3 Sea King Helicopters

SH-3 Sea King

The S-61 was developed by Sikorsky in the late 1950s primarily for the carrier-based anti-submarine (ASW) role. It made its first flight in 1959. It was adopted by the US Navy as the SH-3 Sea King. It has been retired from the US Navy. However, various versions of this anti-submarine warfare helicopter are in service with a number of countries in the world.

The Sea King This is the world's first amphibious helicopter. This helicopter has a watertight hull. It has a pontoon with a floating bag, which gives the Sea King the ability to land on water.

Sea King has sonar and sonobuoy for submarine detection. This ASW helicopter has the capability to carry nuclear depth payloads. Some newer versions, such as the SH-3H carry two Mk 46/44 anti-submarine torpedoes.

SH-2G Super Seasprite Helicopters

SH-2G Super Seasprite

The Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite is a modernized and upgraded version of the previous SH-2 Seasprite. This helicopter is no longer used by the US Navy. However, it is still actively used by Egypt, New Zealand and Poland.

The Super Seasprite is a ship-based long-range anti-submarine helicopter. Secondary missions are search & rescue, anti-delivery, liaison and utility operations. It is also used for over-the-horizon surveillance and targeting. The Super Seasprite can operate from coast guard cutters, offshore patrol vessels, such as corvettes, frigates, and other large ships with landing decks.

The helicopter features low-frequency immersion sonar, onboard radar, front mounted FLIR system, aquatic data processing.

This helicopter can be equipped with a variety of weaponry. It can carry a variety of weaponry, such as the AGM-119B Penguin anti-ship missile, the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-surface missile and the Mk.50 torpedo. The helicopter has provisions for two machine guns.

Z-9EC Helicopters

Z-9EC

The Z-9EC naval anti-submarine warfare helicopter is a further development of the Harbin Z-9. The Z-9EC version was produced for the Pakistan Naval Air Arm. It is equipped with pulse compression radar, low frequency immersion sonar and other systems. The Z-9EC is armed with light torpedoes. It is used aboard the Pakistan Navy's F-22P Zulfiquar class frigate.