MH-60R Seahawk – The World’s Best Multi-Mission Anti-Submarine Helicopter

The Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission helicopter, also known as the “Romeo”, was originally known as “LAMPS Mark III Block II Upgrade”.

Introduce

Development began in 1993 based on the SH-60B Seahawk version. The first flight was made on December 22, 1999. The MH-60R was formally deployed by the US Navy in 2006.

This is the latest naval version of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter series, developed by Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky to replace the US Navy’s Sikorsky SH-60B and SH-60F helicopters.

MH-60R Seahawk can be deployed aboard any air-capable frigate, destroyer, cruiser, fast combat support ship, amphibious assault ship, Littoral combat ship or aircraft carrier. The Seahawk can handle anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, naval special warfare insertion, search and rescue, combat search and rescue, vertical replenishment, and medical evacuation.

Design

The MH-60R Seahawk helicopter has a length of 19.71 meters (64 ft 8 in), a height of 5.23 meters (17 ft 2 in), an empty weight of 6.9 tons (15,200 lb), and a maximum take-off weight of 10.4 tons (23,000 lb).

The Seahawk’s outward appearance resembles her Blackhawk family. The two sides of the fuselage are two large cabin doors, doors for the pilot and co-pilot. Above the cabin is a twin turboshaft engine. The cabin holds space for up to 20 passengers and features full heating and cooling capabilities for increased comfort.

Powerplant

MH-60R is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines, producing 1,890 hp each.

The helicopter has a maximum speed of 270km/h (146 kn), a range of 834km (450 nmi), a service ceiling of 3,700 m (12,000 ft), a crew of 3-4 members.

Armament

MH-60R of the US Navy can be equipped with a wide range of weapons including missiles, torpedoes and machine guns … Thanks to the equipment of four AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, this helicopters are capable of operating against surface or ground targets. The manufacturer is working with the US Navy to increase the number of Hellfire missiles that the helicopter can carry to 8.

Equipped with three 324mm Mk50 or Mk46 torpedoes, the MH-60R can destroy enemy warships, submarines, and has a 7.62mm machine gun for self-defense.

Specifications

(Source: Wikipedia)

General characteristics

• Crew: 3–4
• Capacity: 5 passengers in cabin, slung load of 6,000 lb (2,700 kg) or internal load of 4,100 lb (1,900 kg) for B, F, and H models / 6,684 lb (3,032 kg) payload
• Length: 64 ft 8 in (19.71 m)
• Height: 17 ft 2 in (5.23 m)
• Empty weight: 15,200 lb (6,895 kg)
• Gross weight: 17,758 lb (8,055 kg) for ASW mission
• Max takeoff weight: 23,000 lb (10,433 kg)
• Powerplant: 2 × General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines, 1,890 shp (1,410 kW) each for take-off
• Main rotor diameter: 53 ft 8 in (16.36 m)
• Main rotor area: 2,262.3 sq ft (210.17 m²)
• Blade section: root: SC1095/SC1095R8 ; tip: Sikorsky SC1095

Performance

• Maximum speed: 146 kn (168 mph, 270 km/h)
• Never exceed speed: 180 kn (210 mph, 330 km/h)
• Range: 450 nmi (520 mi, 830 km)
• Service ceiling: 12,000 ft (3,700 m)
• Rate of climb: 1,650 ft/min (8.4 m/s)

Armament

• Up to two Mark 46 torpedoes or Mk 50 or Mk-54s or two 120 U.S. gal (454 L) fuel tanks for SH-60B and HH-60R and MH-60R
• AGM-114 Hellfire missile, 4 Hellfire missiles for SH-60B and HH-60H and MH-60R, 8 Hellfire missiles for MH-60S Block III.
• AGM-119 Penguin missile (being phased out),
• APKWS Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System,
• M60 machine gun or, M240 machine gun or GAU-16/A machine gun or GAU-17/A Minigun
• Rapid Airborne Mine Clearance System (RAMICS) using Mk 44 Mod 0 30 mm Cannon