150 nautical-mile radius with 1 hour on station
Power plant: two T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines
Crew: four
Contractor: Sikorsky
3-View Drawing of the SH-60B (download
as .pdf file)
Photo of an SH-60F to the right.
3-View Drawing of the SH-60F (download
as .pdf file)
Photo of a CH-60S to the lower right.
3-View Drawing of the HH-60H (download
as .pdf file)
The Seahawk evolved from the Sikorsky-built UH-60A Black
Hawk which is operated by the Army. The SH-60B has dramatically
improved maintainability and reliability characteristics with
advanced crashworthiness and survivability over any helicopter
in the Navy's inventory. Its avionics/electronics package, of
course, sets the Seahawk apart from all other ASW helicopters.
The SH-60B Seahawk, better known as the LAMPS (Light Airborne
Multipurpose System) Mk III helicopter. It deploys on Ticonderoga-class
cruisers, Burke-, Spruance-, and Kidd-class destroyers, and Perry-class
frigates, and provides all-weather capability for detection, classification,
localization, and interdiction of ships and submarines. Its secondary
missions included search and rescue, medical evacuation, vertical
replenishment, fleet support, and communications relay. Since
the first Seahawk squadron was formed in 1984, it has enjoyed
remarkable success.
The Navy has also acquired a modified version of the Seahawk
as its CV ASW helicopter to replace the SH-3H Sea King. The SH-60F
operates from carriers to protect the inner zone of a carrier
battle group from submarine attack. The first production model
was delivered in late 1986. A third Seahawk variant, the HH-60H,
also deploys on carriers and provides combat search and rescue
as well as Special Warfare support.
Photo of an HH-60H to the right.
Various modifications and upgrades are planned or underway
for the Seahawk variants. Long range plans involve a reduction
of the three variants, the SH-60B, SH-60F and HH-60H, to two variants,
the SH-60R and HH-60H, for purposes of commonality. Introduction
of an improved sonar, the Active Low Frequency dipping Sonar (ALFS),
and radar and ESM suite upgrades will give the "R" variant
a robust, multi-mission capability well into the next century.
The CH-60S will be the cargo version of the H-60.
Return to Naval Historical
Center home page. 
Return to Aircraft
Data Series
17 November 2000
