The Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk also known as Sikorsky S-70 Is a multifunctional medium twin helicopter developed for the U.S. Navy, based on the structure of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk that is used in the United States Army and Air Force.
Description
A SH-60 Seahawk deploying a SAR soldier
The S-70B, is the naval version of the helicopter Sikorsky S-70. His first was in 1979. Although it uses a structure very similar to the original S-70, known in the U.S. Army as a UH-60. The S-70B aircraft is more complex than the version used in the Army or Air Force , with almost 20% of different components.
The Seahawk is more expensive than previous versions , to have several additional refinements such as additional brake rotors or blades of the electric drive system for the collection of shovels. The landing gear has a shorter distance and the Seahawk 's engines are specially adapted for naval use , with special treatment for use in environments with high salinity , with a local probe for refueling and an emergency flotation system. In addition, the S-70B, is an aircraft adapted for use on board ships, with the task of increasing the capabilities of anti-submarine vessels in which they are embedded. In many countries, this helicopter has replaced the SH-3H Seaking of anti-submarine warfare.
Operators
Australia
- Royal Australian Navy - received 16 S-70B-2 Seahawks, and has 16 S-70Bs in service as of November 2008.
- Brazil
- Brazilian Navy - 4 S-70B Seahawks ordered in 2009 and will replace its older helicopters beginning in 2012.
- Greece
- Hellenic Navy - Received 11 S-70B-6 Aegean Hawks, and has 11 S-70Bs in service as of November 2008.
- Japan
- See SH-60J/K
- Spain
- Spanish Navy (Armada Española) - received 12 S-70B-1 Seahawks and has 12 S-70Bs in service as of November 2008.
- Republic of China (Taiwan)
- Republic of China Navy - received 21 S-70C (10 S-70C(M)-1 and 11 S-70C(M)-2) Thunderhawks, and has 19 S-70Cs in service as of November 2008 in 701st and 702nd Helicopter Squadron (Light).
- Singapore
- Republic of Singapore Navy - ordered 6 S-70B Seahawks in 2005, with 3 in service in March 2010.
- Thailand
- Royal Thai Navy - received 6 S-70B-7 Seahawks, and has 6 MH-60S Seahawks order. It has 6 S-70Bs in use as of November 2008.
Turkey
- Turkish Naval Forces - has received 8 S-70B-28 Seahawks with 17 more on order in 2007. It has 13 S-70Bs in use as of January 2010.
- United States
Specifications
General Characteristics
- Crew: 3–4
- Capacity: 5 passengers in cabin or slung load of 6,000 lb or internal load of 4,100 lb for B, F and H models and 11 passengers or slung load of 9,000 lb for S
- Length: 64 ft 8 in (19.75 m)
- Rotor diameter: 53 ft 8 in (16.35 m)
- Height: 17 ft 2 in (5.2 m)
- Disc area: 2,262 ft² (210 m²)
- Empty weight: 15,200 lb (6,895 kg)
- Loaded weight: 17,758 lb (8,055 kg) (ASW mission)
- Useful load: 6,684 lb (3,031 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 21,884 lb (9,927 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft, 1,890 shp (1,410 kW) take-off power each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 180 kn (333 km/h; 207 mph)
- Cruise speed: 146 kn (270 km/h; 168 mph)
- Range: 450 nmi (518 mi/834 km) at cruise speed
- Service ceiling: 12,000 ft (3,580 m)
- Rate of climb: 1,650 ft/min (8.38 m/s)
===Armament
===
- Up to three Mark 46 torpedos or Mark 50 torpedos,
- AGM-114 Hellfire missile, 4 Hellfire missiles for SH-60B and HH-60H, 8 Hellfire missiles for MH-60S Block III.
- AGM-119 Penguin missile (being phased out),
- 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