SH-60 Seahawk
Encyclopedia
The Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft
The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. Its parent company is United Technologies Corporation.-History:...

 SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk
(or Sea Hawk) is a twin turboshaft
Turboshaft
A turboshaft engine is a form of gas turbine which is optimized to produce free turbine shaft power, rather than jet thrust...

 engine, multi-mission United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

 helicopter based on the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...

 UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70
Sikorsky S-70
The Sikorsky S-70 is a medium transport/utility helicopter family manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. It was developed for the U.S. Army in the 1970s, winning a competition to be designated the UH-60 Blackhawk and spawning a large family in U.S. military service...

 family. The most significant airframe modification is a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships.

The U.S. Navy uses the H-60 airframe under the model designations SH-60B, SH-60F, HH-60H, MH-60R, and MH-60S. Able to deploy aboard any air-capable frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...

, destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...

, cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...

, fast combat support ship
Fast combat support ship
The fast combat support ship is the United States Navy's largest combat logistics ship, designed as an oiler, ammunition and supply ship. All fast combat support ships currently in service are operated by Military Sealift Command . The AOE has the speed and armament to keep up with carrier battle...

, amphibious assault ship
Amphibious assault ship
An amphibious assault ship is a type of amphibious warfare ship employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an amphibious assault...

, or aircraft carrier
Aircraft carrier
An aircraft carrier is a warship designed with a primary mission of deploying and recovering aircraft, acting as a seagoing airbase. Aircraft carriers thus allow a naval force to project air power worldwide without having to depend on local bases for staging aircraft operations...

, the Seahawk can handle anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....

 (ASW), anti-surface warfare
Anti-Surface Warfare
Anti-surface warfare is a type of naval warfare directed against surface combatants. More generally, it is any weapons, sensors, or operations intended to attack or limit the effectiveness of an adversary's surface ships....

 (ASUW), naval special warfare (NSW) insertion, search and rescue
Search and rescue
Search and rescue is the search for and provision of aid to people who are in distress or imminent danger.The general field of search and rescue includes many specialty sub-fields, mostly based upon terrain considerations...

 (SAR), combat search and rescue (CSAR), vertical replenishment (VERTREP), and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). All Navy H-60s carry a rescue hoist for SAR/CSAR missions.

Origins

During the 1970s the U.S. Navy began looking for new helicopter to replace the Kaman SH-2 Seasprite
SH-2 Seasprite
The Kaman SH-2 Seasprite is a ship-based helicopter with anti-submarine, anti-surface threat capability, including over-the-horizon targeting. This aircraft extends and increases shipboard sensor and weapon capabilities against several types of enemy threats, including submarines of all types,...

. The SH-2 Seasprite was used by the Navy as its platform for the Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System
Light airborne multi-purpose system
Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System is the United States Navy's program that developed manned helicopters that assist the surface fleet in anti-submarine warfare.*SH-2 Seasprite *SH-60 Seahawk...

 (LAMPS) Mark I avionics suite for the maritime warfare and a secondary search and rescue capability. Advances in sensor and avionic technology lead to LAMPS Mk II suite, but the SH-2 was not large enough to carry the Navy's required equipment. In the mid-1970s the Army was evaluating of the Sikorsky YUH-60 and Boeing-Vertol YUH-61 for its Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) competition.

The Navy based its requirements on the Army's UTTAS specification to decrease costs from commonality. Sikorsky and Boeing-Vertol submitted proposals for Navy versions of their Army UTTAS helicopters in April 1977 for review. The Navy also looked at helicopters being produced by Bell, Kaman
Kaman Aircraft
Kaman Aircraft is a U.S. aerospace company, with headquarters in Bloomfield, Connecticut. It was founded in 1945 by Charles Kaman. During the first ten years the company operated exclusively as a designer and manufacturer of several helicopters that set world records and achieved many aviation...

, Westland
Westland Aircraft
Westland Aircraft was a British aircraft manufacturer located in Yeovil in Somerset. Formed as a separate company by separation from Petters Ltd just before the start of the Second World War, Westland had been building aircraft since 1915...

 and MBB
Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm
Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm was a German aerospace company formed as the result of several mergers in the late 1960s. Among its best-known products was the MBB Bo 105 light twin helicopter...

, but these were too small for the mission. In early 1978 the Navy selected Sikorsky's S-70B design, which was designated "SH-60B Seahawk".

SH-60B Seahawk

The SH-60B maintained 83% commonality with the UH-60A. The main changes made included corrosion protection, more powerful T700 engines, single-stage oleo
Shock absorber
A shock absorber is a mechanical device designed to smooth out or damp shock impulse, and dissipate kinetic energy. It is a type of dashpot.-Nomenclature:...

 main landing gear, replacing left side door with fuselage structure, adding two weapon pylons, and shifting the tail landing gear 13 feet (4 m) 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
Sonobuoy
A sonobuoy is a relatively small expendable sonar system that is dropped/ejected from aircraft or ships conducting anti-submarine warfare or underwater acoustic research....

 launcher on left side. An emergency flotation system was also installed in the stub wing fairings of the main landing gear on both sides of the aircraft.

Five YSH-60B Seahawk LAMPS III prototypes were ordered. The first flight of a YSH-60B occurred on 12 December 1979. The first production version SH-60B achieved its first flight on 11 February 1983. The SH-60B entered operational service in 1984 with first operational deployment in 1985.

The SH-60B LAMPS Mk III is deployed primarily aboard frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...

s, destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...

s, and cruiser
Cruiser
A cruiser is a type of warship. The term has been in use for several hundreds of years, and has had different meanings throughout this period...

s. The primary missions of the SH-60B are surface warfare and anti-submarine warfare.

The SH-60B carries a complex system of sensors including a towed Magnetic Anomaly Detector
Magnetic anomaly detector
A magnetic anomaly detector is an instrument used to detect minute variations in the Earth's magnetic field. The term refers specifically to magnetometers used by military forces to detect submarines ; the military MAD gear is a descendent of geomagnetic survey instruments used to search for...

 (MAD) and air-launched sonobuoy
Sonobuoy
A sonobuoy is a relatively small expendable sonar system that is dropped/ejected from aircraft or ships conducting anti-submarine warfare or underwater acoustic research....

s. Other sensors include the APS-124 search radar, ALQ-142 ESM system and optional nose-mounted forward looking infrared
Forward looking infrared
Forward looking infrared cameras, typically used on military aircraft, use an imaging technology that senses infrared radiation.The sensors installed in forward looking infrared cameras, as well as those of other thermal imaging cameras, use detection of infrared radiation, typically emitted from a...

 (FLIR) turret. It carries the Mk 46
Mark 46 torpedo
Designed to attack high-performance submarines, the Mark 46 torpedo is the backbone of the U.S. Navy's lightweight ASW torpedo inventory, and is the current NATO standard. These aerial torpedoes, such as the Mark 46 Mod 5, are expected to remain in service until the year 2015...

, Mk 50
Mark 50 torpedo
The Mark 50 torpedo is a U.S. Navy advanced lightweight torpedo for use against fast, deep-diving submarines. The Mk-50 can be launched from all anti-submarine aircraft and from torpedo tubes aboard surface combatant ships. The Mk-50 was intended to replace the Mk-46 as the fleet's lightweight...

, or Mk 54 torpedo
Torpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...

, AGM-114 Hellfire
AGM-114 Hellfire
The AGM-114 Hellfire is an air-to-surface missile developed primarily for anti-armor use. It has multi-mission, multi-target precision-strike capability, and can be launched from multiple air, sea, and ground platforms. The Hellfire missile is the primary 100 lb-class air-to-ground precision...

 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). Operating squadrons are designated Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron, Light (HSL).

The SH-60J is a version of the SH-60B for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
The , or JMSDF, is the naval branch of the Japan Self-Defense Forces, tasked with the naval defense of Japan. It was formed following the dissolution of the Imperial Japanese Navy after World War II....

. The SH-60K is a modified version of the SH-60J. The SH-60J and SH-60K are built under license by Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
, or MHI, is a Japanese company. It is one of the core companies of Mitsubishi Group.-History:In 1870 Yataro Iwasaki, the founder of Mitsubishi took a lease of Government-owned Nagasaki Shipyard. He named it Nagasaki Shipyard & Machinery Works, and started the shipbuilding business on a full scale...

 in Japan.

SH-60F Seahawk

After the SH-60B entered service, the Navy began development of the SH-60F variant to replace the SH-3 Sea King. Development of this variant began with the award of a contract to Sikorsky in March 1985. An early SH-60B was modified to serve as a SH-60F prototype. The company was contracted to produce seven SH-60Fs in January 1986 and the first example flew on 19 March 1987.

The SH-60F serves as the carrier battle group's primary anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and search and rescue (SAR) aircraft. It hunts submarines with the AN/AQS-13F dipping sonar
Sonar
Sonar is a technique that uses sound propagation to navigate, communicate with or detect other vessels...

, and carries 14 sonobuoys. The SH-60F is unofficially called the "Oceanhawk". The SH-60F can carry the Mk 46, MK 50, or MK 54 torpedo and a choice of cabin-mounted machine guns, including the M60D, M240D, and GAU-16 (50 CAL) for defense. Standard crew complement is one pilot, one copilot, one enlisted tactical sensor operator (TSO), and one enlisted acoustic sensor operator (ASO).

HH-60H Seahawk

The HH-60H was developed beginning in September 1986 with a contract for the first five helicopters. The variant's first flight occurred on 17 August 1988. The HH-60H was developed in conjunction with the US Coast Guard's HH-60J
HH-60 Jayhawk
The Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawk is a multi-mission, twin-engine, medium-range helicopter operated by the United States Coast Guard for search and rescue, law enforcement, military readiness and marine environmental protection missions...

. Deliveries of the HH-60H began in 1989. The variant earned initial operating capability in April 1990. The HH-60H's official DoD and Sikorsky name is Seahawk, though it has been called "Rescue Hawk".

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 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
ALQ-144
The AN/ALQ-144, AN/ALQ-147, and AN/ALQ-157 are US infra-red guided missile countermeasure devices . They were developed by Sanders Associates in the 1970s to counter the threat of infra-red guided surface to air missiles like the SA-7 Grail...

 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 HH-60H can carry up to four AGM-114 Hellfire missiles on an extended wing using the M299 launcher and a variety of cabin and port window mounted guns including M60D, M240, GAU-16 and GAU-17/A
Minigun
The Minigun is a 7.62 mm, multi-barrel heavy machine gun with a high rate of fire , employing Gatling-style rotating barrels with an external power source...

 machine guns.

The HH-60H's standard crew is pilot, copilot, an enlisted crew chief, and two door gunners. The HH-60H is operated by Helicopter Antisubmarine (HS) squadrons with a standard dispersal of four F-models and three H-models. Recently HH-60Hs have been used by the Navy, assisting the Army, for MEDEVAC
MEDEVAC
Medical evacuation, often termed Medevac or Medivac, is the timely and efficient movement and en route care provided by medical personnel to the wounded being evacuated from the battlefield or to injured patients being evacuated from the scene of an accident to receiving medical facilities using...

 operations in Iraq. For these operations, its crew included pilot, co-pilot, an enlisted crew chief, an enlisted rescue swimmer, and one Corpsman
United States Navy Hospital Corpsman
A Hospital Corpsman is an enlisted medical specialist for the United States Navy who serves with Navy and United States Marine Corps units. The Hospital Corpsman works in a wide variety of capacities and locations, including shore establishments such as naval hospitals and clinics, aboard ships,...

.

MH-60S "Knighthawk"

The Navy decided to replace its venerable CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters in 1997. After sea demonstrations by a converted UH-60, the Navy awarded production contract for the CH-60S in 1998. The variant first flew in 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.

The MH-60S is based on the UH-60L
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
The UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. Sikorsky submitted the S-70 design for the United States Army's Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System competition in 1972...

 and has many naval SH-60 features. 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 engines, drivetrain and rotors of the S-70B/SH-60.

It is deployed aboard amphibious assault ship
Amphibious assault ship
An amphibious assault ship is a type of amphibious warfare ship employed to land and support ground forces on enemy territory by an amphibious assault...

s and fast combat supply ships
Fast combat support ship
The fast combat support ship is the United States Navy's largest combat logistics ship, designed as an oiler, ammunition and supply ship. All fast combat support ships currently in service are operated by Military Sealift Command . The AOE has the speed and armament to keep up with carrier battle...

. It has two missions: troop transport and vertical replenishment (VERTREP), but can also perform search and rescue (SAR). The MH-60S has no offensive sensors but can carry the ALQ-144 Infrared Jammer. The MH-60S will, in the near future, deploy with the AQS-20A
AQS-20A
The AQS-20A is an airborne SONAR mine countermeasure detection system, developed by Raytheon. The system is utilized by the MH-60S and MH-53E helicopters and as part of the mission package for the Littoral Combat Ships and some United States Navy Destroyers of the Arleigh Burke class...

 Mine Detection System and an Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) for identifying submerged objects in coastal waters. The S-model is the first US Navy helicopter to field the glass cockpit
Glass cockpit
A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit that features electronic instrument displays, typically large LCD screens, as opposed to the traditional style of analog dials and gauges...

 whereby 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 M60D, M240 or GAU-17/A machine guns. A "batwing" refit (Armed Helo Kit) based on the Army's UH-60L was developed to accommodate Hellfire, Hydra 70 2.75 inch rockets, or larger guns or cannons.

The MH-60S is unofficially known as the "Knighthawk", reflecting its role as the designated successor of the Sea Knight, though this name was formally disapproved in favor of the "Seahawk" name. A standard crew for the "Knighthawk" is one pilot, one copilot and two others depending on mission. With the retirement of the Sea Knight, the squadron designation of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) was also retired from the Navy. Operating MH-60S squadrons were re-designated Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC).

MH-60R Seahawk

The MH-60R was originally referred to as "LAMPS Mark III Block II Upgrade" when it began development in 1993. Two SH-60Bs were converted by Sikorsky for the project. The first modified SH-60 made its maiden flight on 22 December 1999. These conversions, designated YSH-60R, were delivered to NAS Patuxent River in 2001 for flight testing. The production variant was redesignated MH-60R to match its multi-mission capability.

The MH-60R is designed to combine the features of the SH-60B and SH-60F. Its sensors include the ASE package, MTS-FLIR, an advanced airborne fleet data link, and a more advanced airborne active sonar. It does not carry the MAD suite. Pilot instrumentation will be based on the MH-60S's glass cockpit
Glass cockpit
A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit that features electronic instrument displays, typically large LCD screens, as opposed to the traditional style of analog dials and gauges...

, using several digital monitors instead of the complex array of dials and gauges in Bravo and Foxtrot aircraft. Offensive capabilities are improved by the addition of new Mk-54 air-launched torpedoes and Hellfire missiles. All Helicopter Anti-Submarine (HS) and Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light (HSL) squadrons that receive the Romeo will be redesignated Helicopter Maritime Strike (HSM) squadrons.

U.S. Navy

The Navy received the first production SH-60B in February 1983 and assigned it to squadron HSL-41. The helicopter entered service in 1984, and began its first deployment in 1985.
The SH-60F entered operational service on 22 June 1989 with Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 10 (HS-10) at NAS North Island. SH-60F squadrons will shift from the SH-60F to the MH-60S beginning in 2009, they will 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 preeminent, the HCS-5 Firehawks squadron deployed to Iraq in March 2003. The Squadron earned the Navy Unit Commendation for exceptionally meritorious service while serving in Operation Iraqi Freedom where they completed more that 1,700 combat flight hours and 900 combat air missions. The majority of their flights in the Iraqi theater have been supporting special operations ground forces missions, both in urban and rural areas. The Firehawks have also participated in military operations in urban terrain, and helped with medical and casualty evacuations.

The Fleet Replacement Squadron (FRS), HSM-41, received the MH-60R aircraft in December 2005 and has begun training the first set of pilots. In 2007, the R-model successfully underwent final testing for incorporation into the fleet. As of August 2008, the first 11 combat-ready examples equipped HSM-71
HSM-71
Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven One is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. Nicknamed the ‘’Raptors’’, they are attached to Carrier Air Wing Nine and deploy aboard the USS John C. Stennis strike group...

, a squadron assigned to the USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74)
USS John C. Stennis is the seventh Nimitz-class nuclear-powered supercarrier in the United States Navy, named for Senator John C. Stennis of Mississippi. She was commissioned on 9 December 1995...

. According to Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is an American global aerospace, defense, security, and advanced technology company with worldwide interests. It was formed by the merger of Lockheed Corporation with Martin Marietta in March 1995. It is headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Washington Metropolitan Area....

, "secondary missions include search and rescue, vertical replenishment, naval surface fire support, logistics support, personnel transport, medical evacuation and communications and data relay."

Other and potential users

Spain ordered 12 S-70B Seahawks for its Navy
Spanish Navy
The Spanish Navy is the maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Armada is responsible for notable achievements in world history such as the discovery of Americas, the first world circumnavigation, and the discovery of a maritime path...

. Spain requested six refurbished SH-60Fs through a Foreign Military Sale in September 2010.

Australia requested approval to buy 24 MH-60Rs through a Foreign Military Sale in July 2010. The MH-60R and the NHIndustries NH90 were evaluated by the Royal Australian Navy
Royal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...

. On 16 June 2011 it was announced that Australia would purchase 24 of the MH-60R variant, to come in to service between 2014 to 2020. The helicopter selected is to replace older Seahawks currently in service.

Similarly the Danish Navy (RDN) have 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 on 30 September 2010. A decision is expected in 2011. In November 2010, Denmark requested approval for a possible purchase of 12 MH-60Rs through a Foreign Military Sale.

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
Foreign Military Sales
The U.S. Department of Defense's Foreign Military Sales program facilitates sales of U.S. arms, defense equipment, defense services, and military training to foreign governments...

. In July 2010 Tunisia
Tunisia
Tunisia , officially the Tunisian RepublicThe long name of Tunisia in other languages used in the country is: , is the northernmost country in Africa. It is a Maghreb country and is bordered by Algeria to the west, Libya to the southeast, and the Mediterranean Sea to the north and east. Its area...

 requested 12 refurbished SH-60Fs through a Foreign Military Sale. But the change in government there in January 2011 may interfere with an order.

In February 2011, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

 rejected the possible Foreign Military Sale of 16 MH-60Rs. Instead, India is considering the S-70B and the NHIndustries NH90 for an acquisition of 16 multirole helicopters for the Indian Navy to replace its aging Westland Sea King
Westland Sea King
The Westland WS-61 Sea King is a British licence-built version of the American Sikorsky S-61 helicopter of the same name, built by Westland Helicopters. The aircraft differs considerably from the American version, with Rolls-Royce Gnome engines , British made anti-submarine warfare systems and a...

 fleet.

In 2011 Qatar
Qatar
Qatar , also known as the State of Qatar or locally Dawlat Qaṭar, is a sovereign Arab state, located in the Middle East, occupying the small Qatar Peninsula on the northeasterly coast of the much larger Arabian Peninsula. Its sole land border is with Saudi Arabia to the south, with the rest of its...

 requested up to 6 MH-60R helicopters, engines and other associated equipment.

US versions

  • YSH-60B Seahawk: Developmental version, led to SH-60B; five built.
  • SH-60B Seahawk: Anti-submarine warfare helicopter, equipped with an APS-124 search radar and an ALQ-142 ESM system under the nose, also fitted with a 25-tube sonobuoy launcher on the left side and modified landing gear; 181 built for the US Navy.
  • NSH-60B Seahawk: Permanently configured for flight testing.
  • CH-60E: Proposed troop transport version for the US Marine Corps. Not built.
  • SH-60F "Oceanhawk" Carrier-borne anti-submarine warfare helicopter, equipped with dipping sonar; 81 built for the US Navy.
  • NSH-60F Seahawk: Modified SH-60F to support the VH-60N Cockpit Upgrade Program.
  • HH-60H "Rescue Hawk": Search and rescue helicopter for the US Navy; 42 built.
  • XSH-60J: Two US built pattern aircraft for Japan.
  • SH-60J: Anti-submarine warfare helicopter for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force.
  • YSH-60R Seahawk:
  • MH-60R Seahawk:
  • YCH-60S "Knighthawk":
  • MH-60S "Knighthawk":

Export versions

  • S-70B Seahawk: Sikorsky's designation for Seahawk. Designation is often used for exports.
    • S-70B-1 Seahawk: Anti-submarine version for the Spanish Navy. The Seahawk is configured with the LAMPS (Light Airbone Multipurpose System)
    • S-70B-2 Seahawk: Anti-submarine version for the Royal Australian Navy, similar to the SH-60B Seahawk in US Navy operation.
    • S-70B-3 Seahawk: Anti-submarine version for the Japanese Maritime Self Defense Force. Also known as the SH-60J
      Mitsubishi SH-60
      The Mitsubishi H-60 series is twin-turboshaft engine helicopter based on the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter family for use by the Japan Self-Defense Force . The SH-60J/K are anti-submarine patrol version for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force . The UH-60J is a search and rescue version for the Japan...

      . The JMSDF ordered 101 units, with deliveries starting in 1991.
    • S-70-4 Seahawk: Sikorsky's designation for the SH-60F Oceanhawk.
    • S-70-5: Sikorsky's designation for the HH-60H Rescue Hawk and HH-60J Jayhawk.
    • S-70B-6 Aegean Hawk: the Greek military variant which is a blend of the SH-60B and F models, based on Taiwan's S-70C(M)1/2.
    • S-70B-7 Seahawk: Export version for the Royal Thai Navy.
    • S-70B-28 Seahawk: Export version for Turkey.
  • S-70C: Designation for civil variants of the H-60.
    • S-70C(M)-1/2 Thunderhawk: Export version for the Republic of China (Taiwan) Navy, equipped with an undernose radar and a dipping sonar.
    • S-70C-2: 24 radar-equipped UH-60 Black Hawks for China, the delivery of the helicopters was halted by an embargo.
    • S-70C-6 Super Blue Hawk: Search and rescue helicopter for Taiwan, equipped with undernose radar, plus provision for four external fuel tanks on two sub wings.
    • S-70C-14: VIP transport version for Brunei; two built.
    • S-70A (N) Naval Hawk: Maritime variant that blends the S-70A Black Hawk and S-70B Seahawk designs.
  • S-70L: Sikorsky's original designation for the SH-60B Seahawk.

Operators

  • Royal Australian Navy
    Royal Australian Navy
    The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...

     - The Fleet Air Arm (RAN)
    Fleet Air Arm (RAN)
    The Fleet Air Arm , known formally as the Australian Navy Aviation Group, is the division of the Royal Australian Navy responsible for the operation of aircraft. The FAA was founded in 1947 following the purchase of two aircraft carriers from the Royal Navy...

     received 16 S-70B-2 Seahawks, and has 15 S-70Bs in service as of January 2011. To be replaced with 24 MH-60R from 2014.
    • 816 Squadron RAN
      816 Squadron RAN
      816 Squadron is a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron that started out as a Royal Navy unit 816 Naval Air Squadron.-Current roles:816 is currently active as a helicopter squadron equipped with S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters...


  • Brazilian Navy
    Brazilian Navy
    The Brazilian Navy is a branch of the Brazilian Armed Forces responsible for conducting naval operations. It is the largest navy in Latin America...

     ordered 4 S-70B Seahawks in 2009 to replace its older helicopters beginning in 2012. Two more S-70Bs requested in 2011.

  • Hellenic Navy
    Hellenic Navy
    The Hellenic Navy is the naval force of Greece, part of the Greek Armed Forces. The modern Greek navy has its roots in the naval forces of various Aegean Islands, which fought in the Greek War of Independence...

     received 11 S-70B-6 Aegean Hawks, and had 8 S-70Bs in service as of January 2011.

  • See SH-60J/K

  • Spanish Navy
    Spanish Navy
    The Spanish Navy is the maritime branch of the Spanish Armed Forces, one of the oldest active naval forces in the world. The Armada is responsible for notable achievements in world history such as the discovery of Americas, the first world circumnavigation, and the discovery of a maritime path...

     (Armada Española) received 12 S-70B-1 Seahawks and has 12 S-70Bs in service as of November 2008. A further six were requested in September 2010.

  • Republic of China Navy
    Republic of China Navy
    The Republic of China Navy is the maritime branch of the Armed forces of the Republic of China . The ROC Navy's primary mission is to defend ROC territories and the sea lanes that surround Taiwan against a blockade, attack, or possible invasion by forces of the People's Republic of China...

     received 21 S-70C (10 S-70C(M)-1 and 11 S-70C(M)-2) Thunderhawks, and has 19 S-70Cs in service as of November 2008 in 701st and 702nd Helicopter Squadron (Light).

  • Republic of Singapore Navy
    Republic of Singapore Navy
    The Republic of Singapore Navy is the naval component of the Singapore Armed Forces , responsible for the defence of Singapore against sea-borne threats and protection of its sea lines of communications. Operating within the crowded littoral waters of the Singapore Strait, the RSN is regarded as...

     ordered 6 S-70B Seahawks in 2005, and had 6 in service by 20 January 2011. These helicopters will be owned and operated by the navy but flown by pilots from the Republic of Singapore Air Force
    Republic of Singapore Air Force
    The Republic of Singapore Air Force is the air arm of the Singapore Armed Forces. It was first established in 1968 as the Singapore Air Defence Command...

    , forming the 123 Squadron, which has since retired the Eurocopter Fennecs operating in its former role as a light scout/attack helicopter.

  • Royal Thai Navy
    Royal Thai Navy
    The Royal Thai Navy is the navy of Thailand and part of the Royal Thai Armed Forces, it was established in the late 19th century. Admiral Prince Abhakara Kiartiwongse is "The Father of Royal Thai Navy". Similar to the organizational structure of the United States, the Royal Thai Navy includes the...

     received 6 S-70B-7 Seahawks, and all 6 Seahawks were in use as of January 2011. It ordered 6 MH-60S helicopters, with two delivered in August 2011.

  • Turkish Naval Forces had received 8 S-70B-28 Seahawks with 17 more on order in 2007. It had 12 S-70Bs in service as of January 2011. It is to have 25 in use by mid-2011.

  • United States Navy
    United States Navy
    The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...

     had 129 SH-60B, 60 SH-60F, 52 MH-60R, and 154 MH-60S helicopters in service as of January 2011.

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-46 "Grandmasters"
  • HSL-48 "Vipers"
  • HSL-49 "Scorpions"
  • HSL-51 "Warlords"
    HSL-51
    Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light Five One "WARLORDS" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Facility Atsugi, Ayase City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Honshū Japan...

  • HSL-60 "Jaguars", Navy Reserve


SH-60F/HH-60H
  • HS-4 "Black Knights"
    HS-4
    Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Four is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy established in 1952.-1952–1968:HS-4 was commissioned on 30 June 1952 at U.S. Naval Auxiliary Landing Field, Imperial Beach, California, equipped with the Sikorsky HO4S-3.HS-4 was the first...

  • HS-5 "Nightdippers"
    HS-5
    Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Five Nightdippers is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy based at Naval Station Norfolk. The Nightdippers are a part of Carrier Air Wing Seven and deploy aboard the .-History:...

  • HS-6 "Indians"
    HS-6
    Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Six Indians is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy established in 1956. The squadron was comissioned as Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Six and completed transition to Helicopter Sea Combat on 8 July, 2011...

  • HS-7 "Dusty Dogs"
    HS-7
    Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Seven , the "Dusty Dogs", is a United States Navy helicopter squadron located at Naval Station Norfolk. The Dusty Dogs are attached to Carrier Air Wing Three and deploy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Harry S. Truman -See also:* History of the United States Navy* List...

  • HS-10 "Warhawks"
  • HS-11 "Dragonslayers"
    HS-11
    Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 11 , also known as the "Dragon Slayers", is an United States Navy SH-60F and HH-60H helicopter squadron based at NAS Jacksonville. Currently attached to Carrier Air Wing 1, they deploy aboard the .-History:...

  • HS-14 "Chargers"
    HS-14
    Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Fourteen is a U.S. Navy helicopter squadron permanently forward-deployed on NAF Atsugi, Japan and aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington...

  • HS-15 "Red Lions"
  • HS-75 "Emerald Knights", Navy Reserve, disestablished in 2007.
  • HCS-4 "Red Wolves", Navy Reserve, redesignated "HSC-84
    HSC-84
    Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 84 "Red Wolves" is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy Reserve. Along with the "Firehawks" of HSC-85, the “Red Wolves” are one of only two squadrons in the U.S. Navy dedicated to supporting Navy SEAL and SWCC Teams, and Combat Search & Rescue...

    " in 2006.
  • HCS-5 "Firehawks", Navy Reserve, disestablished in 2006
  • VX-31 "Dust Devils"
    VX-31
    Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 31 is a United States Navy air test and evaluation squadron based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, California...


  • Note: All HS squadrons will be redesignated HSC, and transition to the MH-60S. HSC-84 operates the HH-60H exclusively.


MH-60R
  • HSM-41 "Seahawks"
    HSM-41
    Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 41 Seahawks is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at NAS North Island, San Diego, California.-History:...

  • HSM-70 "Spartans"
  • HSM-71 "Raptors"
    HSM-71
    Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron Seven One is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. Nicknamed the ‘’Raptors’’, they are attached to Carrier Air Wing Nine and deploy aboard the USS John C. Stennis strike group...

  • HSM-75 "Wolfpack"
  • HSM-77 "Saberhawks"


MH-60S
  • HSC-2 "Fleet Angels"
  • HSC-3 "Merlins"
    HSC-3
    Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Three , also known as the "Merlins", are a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California...

  • HSC-8 "Eightballers"
    HSC-8
    Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Eight "Eightballers" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. HSC-8 is attached to Carrier Air Wing Nine and deploys aboard...

  • HSC-9 "Tridents"
    HSC-9
    Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Nine "Tridents" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station Norfolk, Norfolk, Virginia. HSC-9 is attached to Carrier Air Wing Eight and deploys aboard CVN-77...

     redesignated from HS-3 on 1 June 2009
  • HSC-12 "Golden Falcons" redesignated from HS-2 on 6 August 2009.
  • HSC-21 "Blackjacks"
    HSC-21
    Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two One , also known as the "Blackjacks", are a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island...

  • HSC-22 "Sea Knights"
    HSC-22
    Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron TWO TWO is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at NAS Chambers Field in Norfolk, Virginia. The "Sea Knights" were Established on September 29, 2006, and have multiple missions including vertical replenishment, search and rescue, air-sea rescue and...

  • HSC-23 "Wild Cards"
    HSC-23
    Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Two Three , also known as the "Wildcards", are a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, California. The "Wildcards" currently fly the MH-60S Knighthawk helicopter...

  • HSC-25 "Island Knights"
    HSC-25
    Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron Twenty Five "Island Knights" is a United States Navy helicopter squadron based at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam. The "Island Knights" are the Navy's only forward deployed Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron...

  • HSC-26 "Chargers"
  • HSC-28 "Dragon Whales"
  • HSC-84 "Red Wolves"
    HSC-84
    Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 84 "Red Wolves" is a helicopter squadron of the United States Navy Reserve. Along with the "Firehawks" of HSC-85, the “Red Wolves” are one of only two squadrons in the U.S. Navy dedicated to supporting Navy SEAL and SWCC Teams, and Combat Search & Rescue...

    , Navy Reserve
  • HSC-85 "High Rollers"
    HSC-85
    Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 Firehawks is a United States Navy Reserve helicopter squadron based at Naval Air Station North Island, San Diego, California. HSC-85 currently flies the HH-60H Rescue Hawk...

    , Navy Reserve

Specifications (SH-60B)

See also

External links

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