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| Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk |
Militarymedia.net | The Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk is a US Navy version of the US Army UH-60 Black Hawk. It made its first flight in 1979 and was adopted by the US Navy in 1984. Various versions of the SH-60 Seahawk dominate US naval aviation.
The SH-60B Seahawk deploys the LAMPS III anti-submarine warfare system and serves as an extension of the onboard weapon system of deployed warships. With radar, electronic surveillance measures, magnetic anomaly detector, infra-red and sonobuoy sensors, the SH-60B can detect and track submarines and surface ships as well as strike with torpedoes and missiles. The Navy received 93 SH-60Bs upgraded to Block I standard with expanded weapons capabilities.
The SH-60F Ocean Hawk Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) helicopter is launched with US Navy carriers to provide deep zone defense of carrier battle groups; they also serve in aircraft guard, rescue, and logistics roles. The HH-60H Ocean Hawk has the primary role of conducting combat search and rescue (SAR), and the insertion and extraction of special warfare forces.
The Navy's MH-60R Seahawk (formerly known as the SH-60R Strikehawk) was first deployed in 2009. It replaces the SH-60B and SH-60F as well as the HH-60H. The MH-60R loses the magnetic anomaly detector but has many improvements, including an increase in gross operating weight; two additional store stations; and the AYK-14 mission computer; improved cockpit view; AQS-22 immersion sonar; UYS-2 acoustic processor; multi-mode radar; improved electronic surveillance system; infrared sensors; and an integrated self-defense system. The SH-60R entered service in 2002, and the rebuild program will continue into 2010.
The MH-60S Seahawk (unofficially known as the Knighthawk) was developed for the vertical loading role to replace the CH-46 Sea Knight utility helicopter. It combines the UH-60 Black Hawk's rotor, engine, tail pylon, gearbox and rescue hoist with the Seahawk's automatic flight control system. The prototype MH-60S was flown in 1997 and approved in 1998 for low-level initial production. The YCH-60S is also undergoing development as a mine warfare platform to replace the MH-53E.
The export operators of the SH-60B, SH-60Fs and hybrid SH-60B/Fs consist of Australia, Greece, Japan, Spain, Thailand and Turkey. The US Coast Guard flies the HH-60J Jayhawk in a search and rescue role.
The three types currently in service are replaced by two advanced types - the MH-60R and MH-60S.
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| Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk |
