MH-60R Seahawk.

Technical Data

• Design

  The MH-60R is derived from the H-60 Black Hawk family but incorporates numerous modifications to support maritime operations. The helicopter features a corrosion-resistant navalized airframe designed to withstand prolonged exposure to saltwater environments and demanding shipboard conditions. Measuring approximately 19.76 meters in length and 5.18 meters in height, the aircraft is equipped with a four-blade fully articulated main rotor with a diameter of 16.36 meters. To facilitate storage aboard naval vessels, both the rotor blades and tail pylon can be folded, significantly reducing the aircraft's footprint within ship hangars.

  The helicopter is typically operated by a crew of three to four personnel consisting of two pilots and one or two tactical mission operators depending on the mission profile. The cockpit incorporates a fully digital glass architecture equipped with multifunction displays, integrated flight management systems, advanced navigation equipment, and mission planning tools. The cabin accommodates tactical workstations, sonobuoy launch systems, rescue equipment, auxiliary fuel tanks, and specialized mission equipment according to operational requirements.

  With an empty weight of approximately 6,900 kg and a maximum gross weight of 10,659 kg, the MH-60R possesses the payload capacity required to carry advanced sensors, weapons, and mission systems while maintaining excellent shipboard operating characteristics. The helicopter incorporates strengthened landing gear, crashworthy fuel systems, redundant flight controls, armored protection for critical components, and infrared signature reduction measures to enhance survivability in combat environments.

• Armament

  The MH-60R is equipped with a versatile weapons suite designed to engage submarines, surface combatants, fast attack craft, and asymmetric maritime threats. External weapon stations located on both sides of the fuselage allow the aircraft to carry a combination of torpedoes, missiles, rockets, and auxiliary stores depending on mission requirements.

  For anti-submarine warfare missions, the helicopter's primary weapon is the Mk 54 Lightweight Torpedo. This advanced torpedo combines sophisticated acoustic guidance systems with advanced processing technologies capable of engaging diesel-electric and nuclear-powered submarines in both deep-water and littoral environments. Depending on mission configuration, the helicopter can carry up to three Mk 54 torpedoes.

  For anti-surface warfare operations, the aircraft can carry AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided missiles capable of engaging fast attack craft, patrol vessels, coastal installations, and lightly armored targets at ranges of approximately 8 km. The MH-60R is also being integrated with the AGM-179 Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM), which combines semi-active laser and millimeter-wave guidance technologies to improve engagement effectiveness against moving maritime targets and complex threat environments.

  Additional strike capability is provided by the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), a laser-guided 70 mm rocket system designed to engage small boats, asymmetric maritime threats, and lightly armored targets with high precision. For force protection and close-range engagements, the helicopter can be equipped with door-mounted M240 7.62 mm machine guns and GAU-21/A .50 caliber heavy machine guns. Together, these weapons provide the MH-60R with a highly flexible combat capability across the maritime battlespace.

• Propulsion and Flight Performance

  The MH-60R is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines, each producing approximately 1,890 shaft horsepower. These engines provide exceptional reliability and performance while ensuring sufficient power for shipboard operations, hovering missions, and demanding maritime environments. The twin-engine configuration enhances survivability and operational safety by allowing continued flight following the loss of one engine.

  The helicopter can achieve a maximum speed of approximately 146 knots (270 km/h) and maintains a cruising speed of approximately 119 knots (220 km/h). Operational range exceeds 448 nautical miles (830 km) depending on mission profile, payload, and fuel load, while endurance generally varies between 2.5 and 4 hours. The aircraft's advanced automatic flight control system provides excellent stability during low-speed maritime operations, including precision hovering above the ocean while deploying dipping sonar or conducting search-and-rescue missions.

  The MH-60R is capable of operating day or night and under adverse weather conditions, including from moving ships in high sea states. Its flight management systems support precision navigation, automatic approach functions, and shipboard landing operations, significantly reducing pilot workload during complex maritime missions.

• Avionics and Onboard Equipment

  The MH-60R incorporates one of the most advanced mission systems suites currently fielded on a naval helicopter. Central to its combat capability is an integrated digital architecture developed by Lockheed Martin that combines sensors, navigation systems, communications equipment, electronic warfare systems, and weapons management into a unified mission environment.

  The aircraft's primary radar sensor is the Telephonics AN/APS-153(V) multi-mode maritime surveillance radar. Derived from the earlier AN/APS-147 system, the radar incorporates Automatic Radar Periscope Detection and Discrimination capability, enabling the detection and classification of submarine periscopes and small surface contacts at extended ranges. The radar also provides inverse synthetic aperture radar functionality for detailed target identification and classification.

  Anti-submarine warfare operations are supported by the AN/AQS-22 Airborne Low Frequency Sonar, one of the most capable helicopter-mounted dipping sonar systems currently in service. The system enables the detection, tracking, and classification of submarines in both deep-water and littoral environments. Complementing the sonar is a sophisticated sonobuoy processing suite capable of monitoring and analyzing multiple acoustic contacts simultaneously.

  Electro-optical surveillance is provided by the AN/AAS-44C Forward Looking Infrared system, which combines thermal imaging, daylight television sensors, laser rangefinding, and target designation capabilities. Navigation equipment includes embedded GPS/INS systems, digital moving maps, maritime navigation software, and advanced flight management computers. Communications systems include secure UHF, VHF, HF, SATCOM, Link 16, and Hawklink data-link capabilities, enabling real-time information exchange with ships, submarines, maritime patrol aircraft, and command centers.

  The electronic warfare suite includes the AN/ALQ-210 Electronic Support Measures system, AN/AAR-47 Missile Warning System, radar warning receivers, and AN/ALE-47 countermeasure dispensers capable of deploying chaff and flares against radar-guided and infrared-guided threats. These systems provide enhanced situational awareness, threat detection, survivability, and network-centric combat effectiveness across the maritime battlespace.