Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk

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SH-60F of the United States Navy, with external fuel tank.

The Sikorsky SH-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 US Navy utilizes the H-60 airframe under the model designations SH-60B (Bravo), SH-60F (Foxtrot), HH-60H (Hotel), MH-60S (Sierra) and the MH-60R (Romeo) which is still in development. Able to deploy aboard any air-capable frigate, destroyer, cruiser, fast combat support ship, amphibious assault ship or aircraft carrier the “Seahawk” provides multi-mission capabilities for the fleet. Missions include 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.

Models and missions

An SH-60B prepares to land aboard the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63). Note the MAD boom on the tail pylon.

The SH-60B (Bravo) Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS Mk III) deploys primarily aboard frigates, destroyers and cruisers. The primary missions of the 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. The primary means of attack is with the Mk-46 or Mk-50 torpedo, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles and the capability of a single cabin door mounted M-60D or GAU-16 machine gun for defense. 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).

The SH-60F (Foxtrot) is the carrier-based version of the Bravo. It is the primary means of antisubmarine warfare (ASW) and search and rescue (SAR) for carrier battle group commanders. It differs from the Bravo in means of submarine detection, utilizing the AQS-13F dipping sonar rather than a MAD detector and carrying fewer sonobuoys (14 vice 25). The Foxtrot is capable of carrying the Mk-46 torpedo and a choice of cabin-mounted guns including the M-60D, M-240 and GAU-16 machine guns 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). Operating Foxtrot squadrons are designated Helicopter Antisubmarine (HS).

An HH-60H ready to deploy a SAR swimmer.

The HH-60H (Hotel) 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 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 M-60D, M-240, GAU-16 and GAU-17 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.

An MH-60S conducts vertical replenishment (VERTREP) with USS Tarawa (LHA 1).

The MH-60S (Sierra) was developed after the navy decided to phase out the venerable CH-46 Sea Knight helicopter. The 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-199 Infrared Jammer. 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. The primary means of defense is with the M-60D, M-240 or GAU-17, though a 'batwing' refit based on the Army's UH-60L Blackhawk is in development which will 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. 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).

An MH-60R conducts an airborne low frequency sonar (ALFS) operation during testing and evaluation.

The MH-60R (Romeo) is currently undergoing final testing for incorporation into the fleet. The first operational fleet squadron to receive the Romeo will be [HSL-47] in fiscal year 2008. The Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), [HSM-41], received the Romeo aircraft in December 2005 and has begun training the first set of pilots. It is designed to replace the legacy Foxtrots and Bravos and provide a true multi-mission helicopter. Incorporated sensors include the ASE package, FLIR, an advanced airborne fleet data link system, the elimination of the MAD suite and incorporating a more advanced lightweight airborne sonar system (possibly the UYS-2A processor). Additional improvements will allow the Romeo to perform mine countermeasure operations using Light Imaging Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) laser technology. 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 Legacy Bravo/Foxtrot aircraft. Additionally attacking power is increased through the development of the new Mk-50 air launched torpedo and incorporating the HH-60H extended wing allowing four Hellfire missiles to be carried.

Foreign service

The SH-60 is in service with numerous allied naval forces including the Fleet Air Arm of the Royal Australian Navy, the Hellenic (Greek) Navy and the Spanish Navy under the designation S-70.

General characteristics

Firing an M240 machine gun from a SH-60F Sea Hawk assigned to the "Eightballers" of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Eight (HS-8) during a training exercise. 2003

• Crew: 2 Pilots, 1-3 Aircrew, depending on variant and mission

• Capacity: 8 passengers or slung load of 6,000 lb. for -B, -F and -H models and 11 passengers or slung load of 9,000 lb for -S

• Length (rotors turning): 19.76 m ( 64 ft 10in)

• Rotor diameter: 16.35 m (53 ft 8 in)

• Height: 5.18 m (17 ft)

• Empty: 6191 kg (13,648 lb)

• Maximum takeoff: 9926 kg (21,884 lb)

• Fuel Quantity: Main 590 gallons; -F Internal Auxiliary 105 gallons; Right External Auxiliary 120 gallons; Left External Auxiliary 120 gallons

• Armament: varies but includes Mark 46 torpedo, Mark 50 torpedo, AGM-114 Hellfire missile, AGM-119 Penguin missile (extremely limited use), M-60 machine gun, M-240 machine gun, GAU-16 machine gun, GAU-17 minigun

Performance

• Maximum speed: 233 km/h ( 145 mph)

• Range: varies with model but generally 380 nautical miles

• Service ceiling: 5790 m ( 19,000 ft)

• Rate of climb: 213 m/min (700 ft/min)

Operational US Navy squadrons

SH-60B

• HSL-37 "Easyriders"
• HSL-40 "Airwolves"
• HSL-42 "Proud Warriors"
• HSL-43 "Battle Cats"
• HSL-44 "Swamp Fox"
• HSL-45 "Wolfpack"
• [HSL-46 "Grandmasters"]
• HSL-47 "Saberhawks"
• HSL-48 "Vipers"
• [HSL-49 "Scorpions"]
• HSL-51 ["Warlords"]
• HSL-84

SH-60F/HH-60H

• HS-2 "[Golden Falcons]"
• HS-3 "Tridents"
• HS-4 "Black Knights"
• HS-5 "Nightdippers"
• HS-6 "Indians"
• HS-7 "Dusty Dogs"
• HS-8 "[Eightballers]"
• HS-10 "Warhawks"
• HS-11 "Dragonslayers"
• HS-14 "Chargers"
• HS-15 "Red Lions"
• HS-75 (US Navy Reserve)

MH-60S

• HSC-2 "Fleet Angels"
• HSC-3 "Merlins"
• HSC-21 "Blackjacks"
• HSC-25 "Island Knights"
• HSC-26 "Chargers"
• HSC-28 "Dragon Whales"

• HSM-41 "[Seahawks]"
• HSL-71 (FY 2007)

Related content

References

A1-H60CA-NFM-000 NATOPS Flight Manual Navy Model H-60F/H Aircraft

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. ["Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk: United States Navy Multimission Shipbased Helicopter"]. Retrieved Feb. 8, 2006.

Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, (2004). ["MH-60S Testing New Mine Sensing Gear"]. Retrieved January 1, 2006.

www.Globalsecurity.org ["HH-60H/SH-60F"]. Retrieved December 14, 2005.

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