Sikorsky SeaHawk Helicopter

Sikorsky

SH-60 / HH-60 / MH-60

Seahawk

Utility/Assault Helicopter

The Seahawk 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 Seahawk has many duties that include Anti-Submarine Warfare, Anti-Surface Warfare, Combat Search and Rescue, Surveillance, Communications Relay, and Special Operations. The U.S. Navy uses the H-60 airframe under the model of designations SH-60B, SH-60F, HH-60H, MH-60R, and MH-60S.

The Seahawk is an airborne platform able to deploy aboard any air-capable Aircraft Carrier, Amphibious Assault Ship, Frigate, Destroyer, Cruiser, or Fast Combat Support Ship. They are capable of deploying sonobuoys (sonic detectors) and torpedoes in an anti-submarine role. They also extend the range of a ship's radar capabilities.

The SH-60B SEAHAWK helicopter is a specially-equipped, fully marinized derivative of the renowned SBLACK HAWK aircraft. It is used as a platform for the Light Airborne Multi-Purpose Subsystem (LAMPS) Mark III mission, and has earned its reputation as an excellent fully integrated air/ship weapons platform. The SH-60B model's primary missions are Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Unit Warfare (ASUW) and Anti-Ship Surveillance and Targeting (ASST).

The SH-60F model shares the rugged attributes of the Sikorsky SH-60B SEAHAWK helicopter - reliability, endurance, speed, and survivability - and is uniquely designed to perform in the noisy, constantly changing inner zone of anti-submarine warfare. Operating off a carrier, it can dash to a designated point, dip its sonar, locate submarines, and launch its torpedoes with unmatched efficiency and effectiveness.

The HH-60H helicopter serves a wide range of applications including VERTREP, strike rescue, special warfare support, MEDEVAC, search and rescue, anti-surface strike. It features a 6,000 lb external cargo hook, and is cleared for a 7,468 lb useful load. The HH-60H model is designed for extended mission endurance and range and can carry four crew members and 8 passengers.

The MH-60R was designed to encompass all the mission responsibilities and system capabilities of both the SH-60B and SH-60F helicopters. As such its responsibilities include Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), Anti-Ship Surveillance and Targeting (ASST), VRETREP (vertical replenishment), communications relay, CSAR, and SOFS (special operations forces support.)

As the Navy's next generation submarine hunter and anti-surface warfare helicopter, the MH-60R Seahawk will be the cornerstone of the Navy's Helicopter Concept of Operations. Anti-Submarine Warfare and Surface Warfare are the MH-60R's primary missions. Secondary missions include Search and Rescue, Vertical Replenishment, Naval Surface Fire Support, Logistics Support, Personnel Transport, Medical Evacuation, and VHF/UHF/Link Communication Relay. The MH-60R and its mission systems will replace the fleet's legacy SH-60B and SH-60R aircraft and will be the primary player in the Sea Shield component of Sea Power 21.

The MH-60S Knighthawk was developed to replace the Navy's fleet of CH-46D Sea Knights, SH-3 Sea Kings, and HH-60H Seahawk helicopters. The MH-60S Seahawk helicopter is designed to perform Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR), Special Warfare Support and Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) missions. Additionally, in its armed configuration, it can conduct Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW).

ATLANTIC OCEAN (Jan. 25, 2011) Naval Air Crewman 1st Class Curtis Clontz, assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 9 embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77), looks out of an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter during a search and rescue training exercise. George H.W. Bush is underway in the Atlantic Ocean conducting a composite training unit exercise. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kevin J. Steinberg/Released)

MIYAGI PREFECTURE, Japan (March 14, 2011) Naval Air Crewman 3rd Class Garrett Krygier, assigned to the Chargers of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 14, surveys the destruction caused by a 9.0 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck northern Japan March 11th. HS-14, based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Japan, is conducting search and rescue missions in Miyagi Prefecture in support of Operation Tomodachi. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Ben Farone/Released)

The SeaHawk's serve their country well. NavyDads salutes them and all who have flown aboard!

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