Just some pictures of the SH-60 Helos the RSN is currently
evaluating...
The Seahawk is a twin-engine helicopter. It is used for
anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue, drug interdiction,
anti-ship warfare, cargo lift, and special operations. The Navy's
SH-60B Seahawk is an airborne platform based aboard cruisers,
destroyers, and frigates and deploys sonobouys (sonic detectors)
and torpedoes in an anti-submarine role. They also extend the range
of the ship's radar capabilities.
The U.S. Navy plans to convert all SH-60Bs, as well as 18 SH-60Fs,
to multi-mission SH-60Rs. The new version will feature advanced
radar, missiles, low frequency sonar and a host of other
improvements.
Hopefully we might get the SH-60Rs instead of the older SH-60Bs.The
"Rs" are more mission capable for our use, especially network
centric warfare capability.
The SH-60R will help advance the Navy's Network Centric Warfare
(NCW) mission; avionics upgrades will make the Hawkeye more
NCW-friendly. And as crucial battles become more and more
concentrated on the shores of the world's bodies of water instead
of on the open sea, the upgrades are aimed at optimizing the
Hawkeye for littoral operations. The modifications being effected
are substantial. It's getting a new cabin, the tail is being given
a service life extension, and the helo's avionics have gotten a
significant upgrade. The new glass common cockpit (which it will
share with the SH-60S) and the other modifications will reduce
logistics and life-cycle costs. Major upgrades to both flight and
mission avionics, as well as offensive and defensive weapons and
countermeasures will occur during theconversion. These upgrades
will include:
* Upgraded Mission and Flight Displays
* Improved Advanced Flight Control Computer (LECP)
* Radar upgrade
* ESM Upgrade
* Improved Integrated Self Defense
* Dipping Sonar upgrade (ALFS)
Additionally, the non-mission specific (flight) avionics
are designed to be the same as the new CH-60. The goal is that a
pilot can shift from an ASW mission to a SAR mission to a Cargo
mission and be looking at the same cockpit.
Although the airframe itself is not new, the SH-60R program has
considerable risk due to the reliability problems with ALFS, higher
than expected false alarm rates on the Advanced Radar Detection and
Discrimination (ARPDD) program of the MMR, anticipated additional
problems with the MMR and incorporation of a new cockpit that will
be common to the CH-60.
More upgrades for the SH-60R
The SH-60(R) Multi-Mission Helicopter Upgrade (formally called
LAMPS MK III Block II Upgrade) brings improvements to the SH-60 B/F
helicopters now in the fleet. The SH-60R program will give Seahawks
a life extension to 20,000 flight hours, to provide a multi-mission
platform capable of conducting undersea and surface warfare for the
next 20 to 25 years. This upgrade improves the capability of the
LAMPS MK III Weapons System to provide battle group protection and
to add significant capability in coastal littorals and
regional conflicts. The SH-60Rs systems will be able to
deal with high numbers of air and sea contacts in a confined space,
in shallow water. It will operate with a carrier group, or with a
surface action group, where no air cover is available. To fight and
survive in this environment, detection systems will be added to the
SH-60R that include a new multimode radar, FLIR sensor, ESM system
and a retrievable, active, low-frequency sonar with significantly
greater processing power.
Improvements include the addition of two stores stations, a data
bus, advanced low-frequency sonar, acoustic processor, multimode
radar, Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR) sensor, upgraded ESM system
and integrated self-defense system. The MAD gear will be deleted.
Cockpit mission system improvements include the addition of an
upgraded mission computer, improved communications suite,
high-resolution displays, programmable keysets and tactical aids.
The SH-60R will carry AGM-119 Penguin antishipping missiles and
AGM-114 Hellfire anti-armor missiles, as well as the current MK 46
and MK 50 ASW torpedoes and a door-mounted 7.62 mm machine gun.
The SH-60R will also incorporate new Light Imaging
Detection And Ranging (LIDAR) laser technology. LIDAR is an
ASW/Mine Warfare laser targeting system.
SH-60B Seahawk
SH-60F Seahawk with Hellfire missiles
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