Sh60b Seahawk Specifications
The SH-60B "Seahawk" is a single main rotor, twin-engine helicopter, manufactured by the United Technologies Corporation, Sikorsky Aircraft Division. The helicopter has a 20deg tractor-type canted tail rotor, a controllable stabilator, conventional fixed landing gear, emergency flotation, an external cargo hook, a rescue hoist, and bomb racks for carrying and launching external stores. In addition, it is equipped with a flight-rated auxiliary power unit, a sonobuoy-launch system, an anti-ice system, a fire-extinguishing system, an environmental control system, an automatic flight control system (AFCS), a single-point pressure refueling system, a helicopter in-flight refueling (HIFR) system, and the necessary avionics and instrumentation for instrument flight and mission accomplishment. The helicopter design is compatible with ships equipped with a recovery, assist, securing and traversing (RAST) system, and the main rotor blades and tail pylon can be folded for storage. In addition, the helicopter can operate on non-RAST equipped combatants and a variety of other naval ships.
Dimensions
The overall aircraft dimensions and clearances are:
Folded Length (rotor/tail pylon)-40 ft 11 in.
Rotor folded length(pylon flight position)-53 ft3 in.
Length overall (rotors turning)-64 ft 10 in.
Fuselage length-50 ft 0 in.
Height-17 ft 0 in.
Fuselage width-7 ft 9 in.
Folded width -10 ft 7 in.
Main rotor diameter-53 ft 8 in.
Tail rotor diameter-11 ft 0 in.
Ground clearance-11.2 in.
The Engines
The helicopter is equipped with two T700-GE-401C engines. The T700-GE-40lC is a front-drive turboshaft engine, manufactured by the General Electric Company, Aircraft Engine Group. Some of the features of the engine include an integral inlet particle separator and self-contained systems incorporating modular construction. At sea level and 59'F (15'C), the T700-GE-401C shaft horsepower ratings are
Contingency: 2-1/2 Min. duration.1940
Intermediate: 30 Min duration.1800
Max Continuous: No Limit.1662
General Arrangement
The following subsections describe the exterior and interior arrangements of the aircraft.
Exterior Arrangement
There are two data link antennas--one forward and one aft on the underside of the aircraft. The search radar antenna is also located on the underside of the aircraft. Other antennas (UHF/VHF, HF, radar altimeter, TACAN, ESM, sonobuoy receivers, doppler, ADF, IFF, and GPS) are located at various points on the helicopter (49k).
The left inboard, left outboard, and right weapon pylons accommodate BRU-14/A weapon/stores racks. Fittings for torpedo parachute release lanyards are located on the fuselage aft of each weapon pylon. Effective on BUNO 162349 and subsequent, the left and right inboard pylons have wiring and tubing provisions for auxiliary fuel tanks. All pylons have wiring provisions to accommodate the MK 50 torpedo. The left outboard weapon pylon can accommodate a missile launch assembly (MLA) which is used to mount the MK 2 MOD 7 Penguin air-to-surface missile.
The magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) towed body and reeling machine are mounted on a faired structure that extends from the forward tail-cone transition section on the right side of the aircraft. It is positioned above and aft of the right weapon pylon.
The sonobuoy launcher is located on the left side of the aircraft above the left weapon pylon. The sonobuoy launcher is loaded from ground level outside the aircraft. Sonobuoys are pneumatically launched laterally to the left of the aircraft.
The airborne RAST system main probe and external cargo hook are on the bottom fuselage centerline, just aft of the main rotor center line.
Fuel service connections, for both gravity and pressure refueling, are located on the left side of the aircraft aft of the weapon pylons. Dual-engine waterwash is manifolded from a single-point selector valve connector on the left side of the aircraft above the sensor operator's (SO) window.
The long strokes of both main and tail wheel oleos are designed to dissipate high-sink-rate landing energy. Axle and high-point tiedowns are provided at each main gear. Fuselage attachments are provided above the tail gear for connection to the RAST tail-guide winch system allowing aircraft maneuvering and straightening aboard ship (41k) and for tail pylon tiedown.
Emergency flotation bags are installed in the stub wing fairing of the main landing gear on both sides of the aircraft.
Interior Arrangement
Hinged doors on each side of the cockpit provide normal access to and from that station. A sliding door on the right side of the fuselage provides access to and from the cabin. The primary emergency escape routes are:
- Pilot.right-hand jettisonable window
- ATO.left-hand jettisonable window
- SO.left-hand jettisonable window
- Instructor/passenger.jettisonable cabin door window.
The SO console is located in the cabin, as well as provisions for a removable instructor/passenger seat, a passenger seat, and a litter.
The ATO station is located on the left side of the aircraft cockpit. It is equipped with, or offers access to, a full complement of aircraft flight controls and instruments.
The overhead console, located above the pilot and ATO stations, contains aircraft system control panels involving circuit breakers, console/instrument light controls, extemal light controls, fire-extinguisher controls, engine controls, and several miscellaneous controls. The lower console is located in the cockpit between the pilot and ATO stations. It contains the ATO avionics, AFCS, and communications controls. The lower console is accessible by either the ATO or the pilot.
The ATO's keyset is located on the lower console. The multipurpose display (MPD) is located on the instrument panel between the ATO flight instrument panel and a caution/advisory panel.
The collective on the ATO's side telescopes to allow improved cockpit ingress and egress. In addition, locations are provided in the cabin for two fire extinguishers, two first aid kits, two canteens, a relief bag container, a crash axe, a map case, and a back-up messenger kit.
The cabin is arranged with the SO station on the left. facing forward. Most of the components of the avionics system are physically located in the SO console rack, situated aft of the ATO's seat, and in the mission avionics rack (MAR), situated aft of the pilot's seat. The SO console contains the necessary controls and indicators for the SO to perform the missions of antisurface warfare (ASUW) and antisubmarine warfare (ASW).
To the right of the SO station seat is a seat which accomodates an instructor or, if desired, an additional passenger. The primary passenger seat is on the aft cabin bulkhead, located on the right side.
The hoist controls and hover-trim panel are located adjacent to the cabin door. The cargo hook hatch is located forward of the RAST probe housing.
Lamps MKIII
Project History:
The LAMPS project is a $3.9 billion dollar long range program that is the Navy's reaction to a deficiency in surface fleet antisubmarine warfare (ASW). The program evolved in 1970 from an urgent requirement of the Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) for a program to develop a manned helicopter that would support and serve as a ship's tactical ASW air arm. The advanced sensors, processors, and display capabilities aboard the helicopter would enable the ship to extend its capabilities beyond the classic line-of-sight limitations for surface threats, and the distance limitations for acoustic detection, prosecution and attack of underwater threats.
To meet Under-Sea Warfare (USW) needs, the United States Navy developed the Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS). The LAMPS role initially was filled (in the early 1970s) by the installation of shipboard equipment and conversion of the Kaman SH-2 Seasprite helicopter (already in the Navy's inventory) to a LAMPS configuration. As that proved successful, the Navy planned for a Mk II version employing similar electronics but different helicopter platforms. In FY 1972, the CNO abandoned LAMPS Mk II in favor of the Mk III system.
LAMPS Mk III added improved electronics as well as greater range, and the Recovery, Assist, Securing, and Traversing (RAST) system for all-weather shipboard recovery. This aircraft "haul-down" system expands LAMPS aircraft recovery to a sea-state Condition 5 (winds to 33 knots, and sea wave swells to 13 feet). The S-70L, since designated SH-60B Seahawk, was United Technology Sikorsky Division's submission for the Navy's LAMPS Mk III competition. It was selected as the winner in September 1977 in preference to the Boeing Vertol's Model 237, Detail design of the Seahawk was initiated by a U.S. Navy award to Sikorsky of $2.7 million sustaining engineering contract. Concurrently, General Electric was given a $547,000 contract for further development of the T700-GE-401 advanced turboshaft engine to provide increased power and improved corrosion resistance. Additionally, a $17.9 million contract went to IBM Federal Systems to continue development of the avionics essential for the SH-60B to fulfill the LAMPS Mk III role.
On 28 February 1978, it was announced that the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) had authorized full scale development of the SH-60B and had awarded Sikorsky Aircraft a $109.3 million contract for the development, manufacture, and flight testing of five prototypes, plus a further airframe for ground testing. Earlier, Sikorsky had updated the original UH-60A Blackhawk mockup to SH-60B configuration, this aircraft was reviewed formally by Department of Defense officials prior to the announcement of the contract award, In July and August 1978, this mockup was used for shipboard compatibility trials (37k) on board the frigate USS OLIVER HAZARD PERRY (FFG 7), and the SPRUANCE class destroyer USS ARTHUR W. RADFORD (DD 968).
In mid-September 1978, the Navy responded to congressional demands and reported to the Senate Armed Services Committee that it had restructured the LAMPS project to reflect $401.2 million in cuts without adversely affecting the $3.9 billion overall program. In earlier sessions, the House recommended ending the program in favor of updating the existing LAMPS Mk I system.
In February 1979, the main transmission of the SH-60B completed qualification trials during which it was tested to a maximum of 3600 shaft horsepower (shp). That performance was 600 shp in excess of the Navy's mission performance specifications. On 29 March 1979, it was announced that final assembly of the first Seahawk prototype (53k) had begun, and the first flight was made on 12 December 1979. The remaining four prototypes were flown in early mid-1980, and operational evaluation began in November of that year in time to obtain the results for a Defense System Acquisition Review Council (DSARC) at the Pentagon. With DSARC's support, the Navy was able to gain congressional approval to procure 204 of these new helicopters.
LAMPS MK III completed OPEVAL in February 1982 and was found to be effective and suitable. FOT&E which tested the LAMPS MK III Block I Upgrade was completed in 1993 with similar results. The LAMPS Block II Upgrade entered EMD in FY93 and building on the Block I Baseline, includes major avionics modifications. The Navy plans to install this upgrade in former SH-60B, SH-60F or HH-60H airframes that have undergone "remanufacture" in the H-60 Service Life Extension Program (SLEP), the resultant aircraft to be designated a SH-60R
Mission Overviews...
Today's LAMPS (Light Airborne Multipurpose System) is a state-of-the-art, totally integrated ship/helicopter weapons system that is providing expanded operational capability to Fleet Commanders around the globe in numerous mission areas. Designed to operate at extended ranges, the SH-60B SEAHAWK, the Navy's most technologically advanced helicopter, performs the missions of Surface Warfare (SW), Under Sea Warfare (USW), Search and Rescue (SAR), Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC), Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP), Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS), and Communications Relay (COMREL). The SH-60B is designed to operate as an integral fighting unit aboard specifically configured OLIVER HAZARD PERRY (FFG 7) class Guided Missile Frigates, SPRUANCE (DDG 963) class Destroyers, KIDD (DDG 993),class Guided Missile Destroyers and TICONDEROGA (CG 47) class Guided Missile Cruisers.
The flexibility of today's LAMPS aircraft and crews to perform these missions has placed LAMPS detachments in high demand. The aviators and their maintenance crews are some of the most highly trained professionals in the Naval service today. Employing a secure datalink and equipment allowing flight operations in any weather condition, LAMPS detachments are critical elements in the data collection/weapons delivery arena. Today's LAMPS detachments possess the necessary capabilities to operate offensively in the highly dynamic surface and sub-surface environments, or defensively in the high density air warfare environment as a key part of a Carrier Battle Group, Amphibious Assault Group or Surface Action Group. Additionally, these detachments can operate independently in conjunction with surface ships configured with or without LAMPS MK III weapons systems. In any role, the SH-60B with its unique sensor suite and integrated weapon system, extends and expands the warfighting capabilities of the parent ship well beyond the horizon.
The future holds great promise. Funded enhancements for the SH-60B include the Block I upgrade, already in place in some commands, and the Block II upgrade (SH-60R), still in development. The Block I upgrade provides three major system improvements: Global Positioning System (GPS), Penguin AntiShip missile, and 99-channel sonobuoy receiver system. Other planned improvements include the Armed Helicopter Program, which includes a Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) sensor, Hellfire Air to Surface Missiles, and the GAU-16 50 caliber crew served weapon with LASER target designator. The Block II upgrade is a complete remanufacture and service life extension of the current H-60 aircraft. This upgraded aircraft will have greatly enhanced mission capabilities including Multi-mode radar with Inverse Synthetic Aperture Radar (ISAR) capability, Airborne Low-Frequency Sonar (ALFS), and Integrated Self Defense. Click here to view an AVI file of the Penguin missile being launched off an SH-60B
Mission Descriptions
Primary Missions
In an USW mission, the aircraft is deployed from the parent ship (28k) to classify, localize, and potentially attack when a suspected threat has been detected by the ship's towed-array sonar, hull-mounted sonar, or by other internal or external sources.
When used in an ASUW mission, the aircraft provides a mobile, elevated platform for observing, identifying, and localizing threat platfoms beyond the parent ship's radar and/or electronic support measure (ESM) horizon. When a suspected threat is detected, classification and targeting data is provided to the parent ship via the datalink for surface-to-surface weapon engagement. Penguin missile equipped aircraft may conduct independent or coordinated attack, dependent upon the threat and tactical scenario.
Secondary Missions
In the VERTREP mission, the aircraft is able to transfer material and personnel between ships, or between ship and shore.
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.
In the MEDEVAC mission, the aircraft provides for the medical evacuation of ambulatory and litterbound patients.
In the COMREL mission, the aicraft serves as a receiver and transmitter relay station for over-the-horizon (OTH) communications between units.
In the NGFS mission, the aircraft provides a platform for spotting and controlling naval gunfire from either the parent ship or other units.
