The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk (or Sea Hawk) is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission United States Navy helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant modifications are the folding main rotor blades and a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships.
The U.S. Navy acquired H-60 helicopters 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, expeditionary transfer dock, amphibious assault ship, littoral combat ship or aircraft carrier, the Seahawk can handle anti-submarine warfare (ASW), 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). When entering service, the SH-60 was too large to operate from some of the smaller vessels in service, so it served along with the Kaman SH-2F and SH-2G models until 2001.
Early model Seahawks began to be retired in the 2010s and 2020s, with the last B model leaving U.S. Navy service in 2015, after over three decades, then the F and H models followed in 2016. These were replaced by the upgraded MH-60R and S models.
In the 1970s, the U.S. Navy began looking for a new helicopter to replace the Kaman SH-2 Seasprite.[1] The SH-2 Seasprite was used by the Navy as its platform for the Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) Mark I avionics suite for maritime warfare and a secondary search and rescue capability. Advances in sensor and avionic technology lead to the LAMPS Mk II suite being developed by the Naval Air Development Center. In 1974, the Navy conducted a competition to develop the Lamps MK III concept, which would integrate both the aircraft and shipboard systems. The Navy selected IBM Federal Systems as the Prime systems integrator for the Lamps MK III concept.
Since the SH-2 was not large enough to carry the Navy's required equipment, a new airframe was required. In the mid-1970s, the Army evaluated the Sikorsky YUH-60 and Boeing Vertol YUH-61 for its Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) competition.[2] The Navy based its requirements on the Army's UTTAS specification, to decrease costs from commonality as the new airframe to carry the Lamps MK III avionics.[1] In April 1977, Sikorsky and Boeing-Vertol submitted proposals for Navy versions of their Army UTTAS helicopters for review. The Navy also looked at helicopters being produced by Bell, Kaman, Westland and MBB, but these were too small for the mission. In early 1978, the Navy selected Sikorsky's S-70B design,[1] which was designated "SH-60B Seahawk".
IBM was the prime systems integrator for the Lamps MK III with Sikorsky as the airframe manufacturer. The SH-60B maintained 83% commonality with the UH-60A.[3] The main changes were corrosion protection, more powerful T700 engines, single-stage oleo main landing gear, removal of the left side door, adding two weapon pylons, and shifting the tail landing gear 13feet forward to reduce the footprint for shipboard landing. Other changes included larger fuel cells, an electric blade folding system, folding horizontal stabilators for storage, and adding a 25-tube pneumatic sonobuoy launcher on the left side.[4]
An emergency flotation system was originally installed in the stub wing fairings of the main landing gear. It was found to be impractical and possibly impeded emergency egress, and was removed. Five YSH-60B Seahawk LAMPS III prototypes were ordered. The first YSH-60B flight occurred on 12 December 1979. The first production SH-60B made its first flight on 11 February 1983. The SH-60B entered operational service in 1984, with its first operational deployment in 1985.[2]
The SH-60B is deployed primarily aboard frigates, destroyers, and cruisers. The primary missions of the SH-60B are surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare. It carries a complex system of sensors, 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. Munitions carried include the Mk 46, Mk 50, or Mark 54 Lightweight Torpedo, AGM-114 Hellfire missile, and a single cabin-door-mounted M60D/M240 7.62 mm (0.30 in) machine gun, or GAU-16 .50 in (12.7 mm) machine gun.
A standard crew for a SH-60B is one pilot, one ATO/Co-Pilot (Airborne Tactical Officer), and an enlisted aviation warfare systems operator (sensor operator). The U.S. Navy operated the SH-60B in Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron, Light (HSL) squadrons. All HSL squadrons were redesignated Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) squadrons, and transitioned to the MH-60R between 2006 and 2015.
The SH-60J is a version of the SH-60B for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force with different avionics. The SH-60K is a modified version of the SH-60J. The SH-60J and SH-60K are built under license by Mitsubishi in Japan.[5] [6]
After the SH-60B entered service,[7] the Navy conducted a competition to replace the SH-3 Sea King. The competitors were Sikorsky, Kaman and IBM (avionics only). Sikorsky began development of this variant in March 1985. In January 1986, seven SH-60Fs were ordered including two prototypes (BuNos 163282/3).[8] The first example flew on 19 March 1987.[9] The SH-60F was based on the SH-60B airframe, but with upgraded SH-3H avionics.
The SH-60F primarily served as the carrier battle group's primary antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft. The helicopter hunted submarines with its AQS-13F dipping sonar, and carried a 6-tube sonobuoy launcher. The SH-60F is unofficially named "Oceanhawk".[9] The SH-60F can carry Mk 46, Mk 50, or Mk 54 torpedoes for its offensive weapons, and it has a choice of fuselage-mounted machine guns, including the M60D, M240D, and GAU-16 (.50 caliber) for self-defense. The standard aircrew is one pilot, one co-pilot, one tactical sensor operator (TSO), and one acoustic sensor operator (ASO). The SH-60F was operated by the U.S. Navy's Helicopter Antisubmarine (HS) squadrons, until they were redesignated Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC) squadrons and transitioned to the MH-60S. The last HS squadron completed its transition in 2016.
The HH-60H was developed in conjunction with the US Coast Guard's HH-60J, beginning in September 1986 with a contract for the first five helicopters with Sikorsky as the prime contractor. The variant's first flight occurred on 17 August 1988. Deliveries of the HH-60H began in 1989. The variant earned initial operating capability in April 1990 and was deployed to Desert Storm with HCS-4 and HCS-5 in 1991.[9] The HH-60H's official DoD and Sikorsky name is Seahawk, though it has been called "Rescue Hawk".[10]
Based on the SH-60F, the HH-60H is the primary combat search and rescue (CSAR), naval special warfare (NSW) and anti-surface warfare (ASUW) helicopter. It carries various defensive and offensive sensors. These 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. Engine exhaust deflectors provide infrared thermal reduction, reducing the threat of heat-seeking missiles. The HH-60H can carry up to four AGM-114 Hellfire missiles on an extended wing using the M299 launcher, and a variety of mountable guns including M60D, M240, GAU-16 and GAU-17/A machine guns.
The HH-60H's standard crew is a pilot, a copilot, an enlisted crew chief, and two door gunners or one rescue swimmer. Originally operated by HCS-5 and HCS-4 (later HSC-84), these two special USNR squadrons were established with the primary mission of Naval Special Warfare and Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR). Due to SOCOM budget issues, the squadrons were deactivated in 2006 and 2016 respectively. The HH-60H was also operated by Helicopter Antisubmarine (HS) squadrons, with a standard dispersal of six F-models and two or three H-models, before the transition of HS squadrons to HSC squadrons equipped with the MH-60S, the last of which completed its transition in 2016. The only squadron equipped with the HH-60H as of 2016 is HSC-85, one of only two remaining USNR helicopter squadrons, the other being HSM-60 equipped with the MH-60R. In Iraq, HH-60Hs were used by the Navy, assisting the Army, for MEDEVAC purposes and special operations missions.
The MH-60R "Romeo" was originally known as "LAMPS Mark III Block II Upgrade" when development began in 1993 with Lockheed Martin, formerly IBM/Loral. Two SH-60Bs were converted by Sikorsky, the first of which made its maiden flight on 22 December 1999. Designated YSH-60R, they were delivered to NAS Patuxent River in 2001 for flight testing. The production variant was redesignated MH-60R to match its multi-mission capability.[11] The MH-60R was deployed by the US Navy in 2006.[12]
The MH-60R is designed to combine the features of the SH-60B and SH-60F.[13] Its avionics includes dual controls and instead of the complex array of dials and gauges in Bravo and Foxtrot aircraft, 4 fully integrated 8" x 10" night vision goggle-compatible and sunlight-readable color multi-function displays, all part of glass cockpit produced by Owego Helo Systems division of Lockheed Martin.[14] Onboard sensors include: AAR-47 Missile Approach Warning System by ATK,[14] Raytheon AAS-44 electro-optical system that integrates FLIR and laser rangefinder,[14] ALE-39 decoy dispenser and ALQ-144 infrared jammer by BAE Systems,[14] ALQ-210 electronic support measures system by Lockheed Martin,[14] APS-147 multi-mode radar/IFF interrogator, which during a mid-life technology insertion project is replaced by APS-153 Multi-Mode Radar with Automatic Radar Periscope Detection and Discrimination (ARPDD) capability.[15]
Both radars were developed by Telephonics,[16] [14] a more advanced AN/AQS-22 advanced airborne low-frequency sonar (ALFS) jointly developed by Raytheon & Thales,[14] an ARC-210 voice radio by Rockwell Collins,[14] an advanced airborne fleet data link SRQ-4 Hawklink with radio terminal set ARQ-59 radio terminal, both by L3Harris,[17] [18] [19] and LN-100G dual-embedded global positioning system and inertial navigation system by Northrop Grumman Litton division.[14] Beginning in 2020, CAE's MAD-XR were fielded on MH-60Rs, providing it with a magnetic anomaly detector.[20]
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 receive the 'Romeo' are redesignated Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) squadrons.
In 1997, the Navy decided to replace its venerable CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters. In 1998, the Navy awarded a production contract to Sikorsky for the CH-60S, after sea demonstrations with a converted UH-60. The variant first flew on 27 January 2000 and it began flight testing later that year. The CH-60S was redesignated MH-60S in February 2001 to reflect its planned multi-mission use.[21] The MH-60S is based on the UH-60L and has many naval SH-60 features.[22] Unlike all other Navy H-60s, the MH-60S is not based on the original S-70B/SH-60B platform, with its forward-mounted twin tail-gear and single starboard sliding cabin door. Instead, the S-model 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 folding tail pylon, engines, drivetrain and rotors of the S-70B/SH-60.[23] [22] It includes the integrated glass cockpit developed by Lockheed Martin for the MH-60R and shares some of the same avionics/weapons systems.
It is deployed aboard aircraft carriers, amphibious assault ships, Maritime Sealift Command ships, and fast combat support ships. Its missions include vertical replenishment, medical evacuation, combat search and rescue, anti-surface warfare, maritime interdiction, close air support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and special warfare support. The MH-60S is to deploy with the AQS-20A Mine Detection System and an Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) for identifying submerged objects in coastal waters.
It is the first US Navy helicopter to field a glass cockpit, relaying flight information via four digital monitors. The primary means of defense is door-mounted machine guns such as the M60D, M240D, or GAU-17/A. A "batwing" Armed Helo Kit based on the Army's UH-60L was developed to accommodate Hellfire missiles, Hydra 70 2.75 inch rockets, or larger guns. The MH-60S can be equipped with a nose-mounted forward looking infrared (FLIR) turret to be used in conjunction with Hellfire missiles. It carries the ALQ-144 Infrared Jammer.
The MH-60S is unofficially known as the "Knighthawk", referring to the preceding Sea Knight, though "Seahawk" is its official DoD name.[24] [25] A standard crew for the MH-60S is one pilot, one copilot and two tactical aircrewmen, depending on the mission. With the retirement of the Sea Knight, the squadron designation of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) was retired from the Navy. Operating MH-60S squadrons were re-designated Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC).[26] The MH-60S was to be used for mine clearing from littoral combat ships, but testing found it lacks the power to safely tow the detection equipment.[27]
In August 2014, the U.S. Navy forward deployed the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) to the U.S. 5th Fleet. The ALMDS is a sensor system designed to detect, classify, and localize floating and near-surface moored mines in littoral zones, straits, and choke points. The system is operated from an MH-60S, which gives it a countermine role traditionally handled by the MH-53E Sea Dragon, allowing smaller ships that the MH-53E cannot operate from, to be used in the role. The ALMDS beams a laser into the water to pick up reflections from things it bounces off of, then uses that data to produce a video image for ground personnel to determine if the object is a mine.[28]
The MH-60S will utilize the BAE Systems Archerfish remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to seek out and destroy naval mines from the air. Selected as a concept in 2003 by the Navy as part of the Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS) program and developed since 2007, the Archerfish is dropped into the water from its launch cradle, where its human operator remotely guides it down towards the mine using a fiber optics communications cable that leads back up to the helicopter. Using sonar and low-light video, it locates the mine, and is then instructed to shoot a shaped charge explosive to detonate it. In April 2016, BAE was awarded a contract to build and deliver the ROVs.[29]
The Navy received the first production SH-60B in February 1983 and assigned it to squadron HSL-41.[30] [31] The helicopter entered service in 1984,[32] and began its first deployment in 1985.[30]
The SH-60F entered operational service on 22 June 1989 with Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 10 (HS-10) at NAS North Island.[21] SH-60F squadrons planned to shift from the SH-60F to the MH-60S from 2005 to 2011 and were to be redesignated Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC).
As one of the two squadrons in the US Navy dedicated to Naval Special Warfare support and combat search and rescue, the HCS-5 Firehawks squadron deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom in March 2003. The squadron completed 900 combat air missions and over 1,700 combat flight hours. The majority of their flights in the Iraqi theater supported special operations ground forces missions.
A west coast Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 41, received the MH-60R aircraft in December 2005 and began training the first set of pilots. In 2007, the R-model successfully underwent final testing for incorporation into the fleet. In August 2008, the first 11 combat-ready Romeos arrived at HSM-71, a squadron assigned to the carrier . The primary missions of the MH-60R are anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare. According to Lockheed Martin, "secondary missions include search and rescue, vertical replenishment, naval surface fire support, logistics support, personnel transport, medical evacuation and communications and data relay."[33]
HSL squadrons in the US have been incrementally transitioning to the MH-60R and have nearly completed the transition. The first MH-60Rs in Japan arrived in October 2012. The recipient was HSM-51, the Navy's forward–deployed LAMPS squadron, home based in Atsugi, Japan. The Warlords transitioned from the SH-60B throughout 2013, and shifted each detachment to the new aircraft as they returned from deployments. HSM-51 will have all MH-60R aircraft at the end of 2013. The Warlords are joined by the Saberhawks of HSM-77.
On 23 July 2013, Sikorsky delivered the 400th MH-60, an MH-60R, to the U.S. Navy. This included 166 MH-60R versions and 234 MH-60S versions. The MH-60S is in production until 2015 and will total a fleet of 275 aircraft, and the MH-60R is in production until 2017 and will total a fleet of 291 aircraft. The two models have flown 660,000 flight hours. Seahawk helicopters are to remain in Navy service into the 2030s.[34]
The SH-60B Seahawk completed its last active-duty deployment for the U.S. Navy in late April 2015 after a seven-month deployment aboard . After 32 years and over 3.6 million hours of service, the SH-60B was formally retired from U.S. Navy service during a ceremony on 11 May 2015 at Naval Air Station North Island.[35] [36] In late November 2015 returned from its deployment, ending the last active-duty operational deployment of both the SH-60F and HH-60H. The models are to be transferred to other squadrons or placed in storage.[37]
In February 2011, India selected the S-70B over the NHIndustries NH90 for an acquisition of 16 multirole helicopters for the Indian Navy to replace its aging Westland Sea King fleet.[38] India selected the Seahawk for procurement in November 2014.[39] In June 2017, India's Ministry of Defence terminated the procurement program over a pricing issue.[40] Then in August 2018, India's Defence Ministry approved the purchase of 24 MH-60R helicopters.[41] In April 2019, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved sale of 24 MH-60R anti-submarine helicopters to India for US$2.6 bn and notified Congress of the proposed sale.[42]
India signed a $2.13 billion (~$ in) (Rs 15,157 Crores) contract for the MH-60Rs in February 2020. These helicopters are to aid in detecting and destroying enemy submarines prowling in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).[43] On 16 July 2021, the U.S. Navy handed over the first two MH-60Rs to the Indian Navy at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego.[44] At least four were commissioned on 6 March 2024, in the presence of Defense Minister Rajnath Singh at their planned home base of INS Garuda in Kochi. They will form the INAS 334 Naval Squadron and will be under the command of Captain M Abhishek Ram.[45] [46] [47] [48]
The choppers have been integrated with the Navy's aircraft carrier INS Vikrant. The new choppers can be used for rescue operations, especially in night search and rescue missions, as they have night vision goggles and forward-looking infrared facilities. They had participated in the Exercise Milan-2024 held by the Navy.
Spain ordered 12 S-70B Seahawks for its Navy.[49] Spain requested six refurbished SH-60Fs through a Foreign Military Sale in September 2010.[50] [51]
The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) ordered 16 S-70B-2s which were delivered in 1988 and 1989.[52] In December 2017, the S-70B-2s were retired from service.[52] The S-70B-2 served extensively in the Middle East, embarked on the Adelaide-class and the Anzac-class frigates.[53] 11 S-70B-2 were sold to Skyline Aviation Group.[54] Under Project AIR 9000 Phase 8, the MH-60R competed with the NHIndustries NH90 to replace the S-70B-2.[55] In June 2011, the MH-60R was selected to replace the S-70B-2.[56] 24 MH-60Rs were ordered to be equipped with the Mark 54 and the Hellfire with deliveries commencing in mid-2014.[56] The US approved a Foreign Military Sale of 24 MH-60Rs in July 2010.[57] The first MH-60R was delivered to the RAN in 2013 and the last was delivered in 2016.[58] [59] In 2018, Australia signed a 10-year agreement with the US Navy to support the MH-60R.[60] The Department of Defence in the 2020 Force Structure Plan reported it planned to expand and rationalise the RAN's MRH-90 Taipan fleet used for support and logistics.[61] In October 2021, the US approved a Foreign Military Sale to Australia of 12 MH-60Rs.[62] In May 2022, the Australian government announced that it would purchase 12 MH-60Rs to replace the MRH-90 fleet.[63] The government placed the order in September 2022.[64]
The Royal Danish Navy (RDN) put the MH-60R on a short list for a requirement of around 12 new naval helicopters, together with the NH90/NFH, H-92, AW159 and AW101. The Request For Proposal was issued in September 2010.[65] In November 2010, Denmark requested approval for a possible purchase of 12 MH-60Rs through a Foreign Military Sale.[66] [67] In November 2012, Denmark selected 9 MH-60Rs to replace its 7 aging Lynx helicopters.[68] In October 2015, the US Navy accepted two mission ready MH-60R helicopters for Denmark.[69] In October 2018, Lockheed Martin was in the process of delivering the ninth and final MH-60R to Denmark.[70]
In July 2009, the Republic of Korea requested eight MH-60S helicopters, 16 GE T700-401C engines, and related sensor systems to be sold in a Foreign Military Sale.[71] South Korea instead chose the AW159 in January 2013.[72] In December 2020, the South Korean government purchased 12 MH-60Rs.[73]
In July 2010 Tunisia requested 12 refurbished SH-60Fs through a Foreign Military Sale.[74] But the change in government there in January 2011 may interfere with an order.[75]
In 2011, Qatar requested a potential Foreign Military Sale of up to 6 MH-60R helicopters, engines and other associated equipment.[76] In late June 2012, Qatar requested another 22 Seahawks, 12 fitted with the armed helicopter modification kit and T700-401C engines with an option to purchase an additional six Seahawks and more engines.[77] [78]
In 2011, Singapore bought six S-70Bs. In 2013, they ordered an additional two.[79]
In early 2015, Israel ordered eight ex-Navy SH-60Fs to support the expansion of the Israeli Navy surface fleet for ASW, ASuW and SAR roles.[80]
In 2015, Saudi Arabia requested the sale of ten MH-60R helicopters and associated equipment and support for the Royal Saudi Navy.[81] [82]
In 2016, Malaysia considered purchasing new helicopters for its Royal Malaysian Navy, with the MH-60R Seahawk, AgustaWestland AW159 Wildcat, or the Airbus Helicopters H225M under evaluation for the role.[83]
In April 2018, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency received U.S. State Department approval and notified Congress of a possible sale to Mexican Navy of eight MH-60Rs, spare engines, and associated systems.[84] [85] In July 2018, Mexico's president planned to cancel the MH-60 sale to cut government spending.[86]
In February 2011, India selected the S-70B over the NHIndustries NH90 for an acquisition of 16 multirole helicopters, for the Indian Navy to replace its aging Westland Sea King fleet.[38] India selected the Seahawk for procurement in November 2014.[39] In June 2017, India's Ministry of Defence terminated the procurement program over a pricing issue.[40] In August 2018, India's Defence Ministry approved the purchase of 24 MH-60R helicopters.[41] In April 2019, the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved a sale of 24 MH-60R anti-submarine helicopters to India for US$2.6 bn and notified Congress of the proposed sale.[42] India signed a $2.13 billion (~$ in) (Rs 15,157 Crores) contract for the MH-60Rs in February 2020. These helicopters are to aid in detecting and destroying enemy submarines prowling in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).[43] In July 2021, the U.S. Navy handed over the first two MH-60Rs to the Indian Navy at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego.[44]
In 2022, the Royal Norwegian Air Force considered the UH-60 as a replacement for the NHIndustries NH90.[87] In March 2023, Norway decided to procure MH-60R Sea Hawks for the Norwegian Coast Guard. Training is to start immediately in cooperation with the Royal Danish Air Force. The U.S. government decided to reallocate three MH-60Rs originally destined for the U.S. Navy to the Norwegian Coast Guard, with an estimated delivery in the summer of 2025. Norway will procure six MH-60Rs, with the remaining three delivered by 2027. Norway is considering procuring additional helicopters for the Anti Submarine warfare role for the Royal Norwegian Navy Fridtjof Nansen-class frigate, pending review into how to best satisfy the navy's ASW needs.[88]
In October 2023, Lockheed Martin was awarded a contract to deliver eight MH-60Rs to the Spanish Navy.[89]