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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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  • Aviation
  • Aircraft--Rotary-Helicopter
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  • Historical Summary
Wars & Conflicts
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The H-60 Series

SH-60B/SH-60F/SH-60R/HH-60H/CH-60S Seahawk


Photo of SH-60B
Description: Photo of SH-60B

Fuselage length: 50 feet
Overall length: 64 feet 8 inches
Height: 17 feet
Weight: in Harpoon targeting role: 18,000 pounds
    in ASW role: 19,800 pounds    
    in utility role: 21,000+ pounds
Speed: maximum cruise at 5,000 feet: 155 mph
Range: 50 nautical-mile radius with 3 hours on station
    150 nautical-mile radius with 1 hour on station
Power plant: two T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines
Crew: four
Contractor: Sikorsky

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.

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.


Photo of a CH-60S


Photo of an SH-60F


Photo of an HH-60H

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Description: 3-View Drawing of the SH-60B

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Description: 3-View Drawing of the SH-60F

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Description: 3-View Drawing of the HH-60H
Published: Fri Dec 09 15:50:32 EST 2022