HSM-49

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM-49), formerly the Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light FOUR NINE (HSL-49), is a United States Navy Maritime Strike helicopter squadron based in San Diego, California.

The Scorpions of HSM-49 are an operational fleet squadron based at NAS North Island. Their tailcode is TX and their radio callsign is "Red Stinger". The squadron provides combat-ready pilots, aircrewmen, technicians, and aircraft to Pacific Fleet warships. The squadron operates the SH-60B Seahawk and the MH-60R helicopters.

History
HSM-49 was established on April 1, 2015, after transitioning from HSL-49. HSL-49 was established on March 23, 1990 as the U.S. Navy transitioned the Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light community from the SH-2 Seasprite to the SH-60B Seahawk. The Scorpions first deployed in November 1990 with Detachment ONE embarked in USS FORD (FFG 54).

The squadron - then and now - deploys its personnel and aircraft in an expeditionary model. Detachments are led by an Officer-in-Charge, normally a Lieutenant Commander, and typically deploy with one or two helicopters, and a complement of pilots, Naval Aircrewmen, mechanics and technicians.

Detachments embark Arleigh Burke class destroyers and Ticonderoga class cruisers in support of Carrier Strike Groups (CSG), Surface Action Groups (SAG), or independent deployed operations. Recent deployed detachments have engaged in missions ranging from Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF), counter-piracy, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HA/DR), and Counter-Illicit Trafficking.



Aircraft
Crews from HSM-49 operate the SH−60B Seahawk, a helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft and equipped with two front-drive T700−GE−401C turboshaft engines manufactured by the General Electric Company. The helicopter has fixed landing gear, an external cargo hook, a rescue hoist, and bomb racks for carrying and launching external stores. In addition, it is equipped with a sonobuoy launch system, a Helicopter In−Flight Refueling (HIFR) system, and the necessary avionics and instrumentation for instrument flight and mission accomplishment. The helicopter can operate from a variety of naval ships.

HSM-49 transitioned from the SH-60B to the MH-60R variant of the Seahawk in the spring of 2015.



Mission
The SH−60B LAMPS MK III helicopter was designed to meet the requirements of the U.S. Navy's sea control mission. Its systems enable it to engage threats ranging from hostile submarines to missile−equipped surface ships. The aircraft's systems extend the search and attack capabilities of configured destroyers, frigates, and cruisers.

The MH-60R is designed to combine the features of the SH-60B and SH-60F. The aircraft includes the ASE package, FLIR, multi-mode radar/IFF interrogator, airborne fleet data link, and a more advanced airborne active sonar. It does not carry the MAD that the SH-60B employs. Pilot instrumentation is provided by a glass cockpit, using digital monitors instead of dials and gauges, as seen in the Bravo's cockpit.

Primary Missions
In an Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) role, Scorpion aircrews use radar, Electronic Support Measures (ESM), Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD), sonobuoys, and ship sensors to localize, classify, track, and if necessary attack when a submarine has been detected. Aircraft can be equipped with various different torpedoes for the mission.

In an Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW) role, Scorpion aircrews observe, identify, and localize threat platforms using radar, ESM, and FLIR. When a suspected threat is detected, data can be provided to the parent ship for surface−to−surface weapon engagement. Aircraft equipped with Hellfire missiles (AGM-114) may conduct independent or coordinated attacks. The SH-60B can also be equipped with the GAU-16/A (.50 caliber) and M240D (7.62 mm) crew served machine guns.



As the squadron begins their deployments with the MH-60R, the mission sets that the squadron provides for will remain the same, but with enhanced capabilities. The MH-60R includes the ASE package, FLIR, multi-mode radar/IFF interrogator, airborne fleet data link, and a more advanced airborne active sonar. It does not carry the MAD that the SH-60B employs. Pilot instrumentation is provided by a glass cockpit, using digital monitors instead of dials and gauges, as seen in the Bravo's cockpit.

Secondary Missions
Vertical Replenishment - In the VERTREP mission, the aircraft is able to transfer material between ships, or between ship and shore.

Search and Rescue - In the SAR mission, the aircraft is designed to search for and locate a particular target/object/ship or plane and to rescue personnel using the rescue hoist.

Medical Evacuation - In the MEDEVAC mission, the aircraft provides for the medical evacuation of patients.

Communications Relay - In the COMREL mission, the aircraft relays communications between units.

Naval Surface Fire Support - In the NSFS mission, the aircraft provides a platform for spotting and controlling naval gunfire from surface ships.