USN Heli Plan
(click to view full)

The US Army’s UH-60 Black Hawks have always had a naval counterpart. SH-60B/F Seahawk/ LAMPS helicopters were outfitted with maritime radar, sonobuoys, and other specialized equipment that let them perform a wide variety of roles, from supply and transport, to anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, medical evacuation, and even surface attack with their Penguin missiles. They can be found aboard US destroyers, cruisers, and frigates. Like their land-based counterparts, however, the Seahawks are getting older. The Reagan defense build-up is receding into history, and its products are wearing out. The US Navy realized that a new set of naval helicopters was required, and technology advances offered the prospect of integrating greater capabilities into each machine without having to spend much on R&D.

European firms designed and built the EH101 medium helicopter, and then the smaller NH90, in order to perform these roles. These helicopters are both larger than the H-60 family, offering airframes made with corrosion-proof composites at a size that confers new capabilities. Both have enjoyed export success. The US Navy, on the other hand, believed that enhancing its proven Seahawk design would be the most cost-effective option for fleet recapitalization. Hence the MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter (aka. “Romeo”) and MH-60S (aka. “Sierra”). MH-60Rs and MH-60Ss will eventually replace all SH-60B/F & HH-60H Seahawks, HH-1N Hueys, UH-3H Sea Kings, and CH-46D Sea Knight helicopters currently in the US Navy’s inventory.

Before this program began, MH- was the traditional designation for special forces aircraft, but the Navy has now adopted it to stand for “multi-mission.” Confusing nomenclature aside, the new MH-60R/S helicopters will be the backbone of the US Navy’s future helicopter force. Both programs are underway, and will be covered in this DID FOCUS Article. The latest additions include a contract to add a new datalink…

• Romeo, Armed: The MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter
• Blue Collar Sierra: The MH-60S
• The MH-60R/S Program
• MH-60R/S Contracts and Key Events [updated]
• Additional Readings and Sources

Get instant access to the whole DII story of the Navy's helicopter program when you subscribe to DII. The story includes many moving parts, as the US Navy is moving from six helicopter types to just two. Our cross-linked article network and reference materials include:

• Description of the helicopter, its mission capabilities and armament kits including, for example, Hellfire anti-armor missiles and 50 caliber (GAU-21/M3M) and 7.62 mm (M240B) machine guns.
• Additional DII coverage including "Lockheed Receives $76.6M for MH-60S' New Airborne Anti-Mine Systems," "Fly and Listen: The AN/ALQ-22 ALFS Sonar System," " Listening Sticks: US Navy Sonobuoy Contracts," "The Wonders of Link 16 for Less: MIDS-LVTs", and more
• Tracking of contractors and sub-contractor involved, such as Sikorsky, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Vought Aircraft, Kaman Aerospace, GKN Aerospace, Telephonics, Kimball Electronics Group and Aldinger
• A project budget summary for each fiscal year since 2005, and a breakdown of current orders
• Advanced features including: the AN/AAS-52 MTS surveillance and targeting turret, the AN/APS-147, Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) imaging, an Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) interrogator capability and the AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low-Frequency Sonar (ALFS)
• Timeline of news and events
• 17 photos

Subscribe now to the Defense Industry Insider. DII covers hundreds of defense procurement programs, and gives thousands of links, expert analysis and the latest industry news.

 

Already a member? Login

Login to your DII account

Email
Password
Remember me
Lost your password?