ATLANTIC OCEAN (May 1, 2023) Senior Chief Aviation Boatswain's Mate (Handling) Damian Dodge, left, and Aviation Ordnanceman 2nd Class Valeria Lopez practice a vertical replenishment (VERTREP) with an MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopter assigned to the "White Whales" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 28 aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) during flight operations, May 1, 2023. Wasp is underway conducting Basic Phase inspections and assessments. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sydney Milligan)
MH-60S Seahawk
Mission
The MH-60S Seahawk missions are Anti-Surface Warfare, combat support, humanitarian disaster relief, Combat Search and Rescue, aero medical evacuation, SPECWAR and organic Airborne Mine Countermeasures.
Description
The MH-60S replaced the aging fleet of H-46D helicopters, which led to significant reductions in costs per flight hour, mission aborts, component removals, and unscheduled maintenance actions. The MH-60S with its glass cockpit incorporates active matrix liquid crystal displays, used to facilitate pilot and co-pilot vertical and horizontal situation presentations. Another major design of the MH-60S is a “common cockpit,” which is shared with the new MH-60R. This will allow a pilot to shift from one aircraft to another with minimal re-training.
Specifications
Primary Function: Anti-Surface Warfare, Combat Support, Humanitarian
Contractor: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed Martin Systems
Date Deployed: 2002
Propulsion: 2-GE T700-GE-401 (C)
Length: 64 feet, 10 inches
Height: 17 feet
Weight: 14,430 lbs (empty), 23,500 lbs (max gross)
Airspeed: 180 knots (max)
Ceiling: 13,000 feet
Range: 245 Nautical Miles
Crew: Four
Program Status
ACAT: ACAT IC Program
Inventory: 256
Initial Operational Capabilities (IOC) date: August 2002
Operational Capabilities (FOC) date: 2016