Product Type: |
Twin-Engine Combat Support |
Using Service (US): |
Navy |
Program Status: |
In Full Rate Production (FRP)
|
Prime Contractor: |
Airframe: Sikorsky Aircraft (Lockheed Martin) |
The Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk (aka Knighthawk) Fleet Combat Support Helicopter is
a versatile twin-engine helicopter used to maintain forward deployed fleet sustainability through rapid airborne delivery of materials and
personnel - to support amphibious operations through search and rescue coverage and to provide an organic
airborne mine countermeasures capability. The MH-60S is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines, each delivering 1,800 shp.
The helicopter can carry 12 troops or 6 stretchers. The maximum cargo payload is 9,000 pounds external and/or 4,000 pounds internal,
but limited to 10,000 pounds of cargo in total.
In 1997, the Navy decided to find a replacement for its aging fleet of CH-46/HH-46 Sea Knight helicopters.
After sea demonstrations using a converted UH-60, the Navy awarded contracts for the development of the CH-60S in 1998.
This variant first flew in January 2000 and began flight testing later that year. In February 2001, the CH-60S was redesignated MH-60S
to reflect the planned multi-mission use. The advantage of the MH-60S as compared to the CH-46 are lower cost per flight operating hour,
fewer mission aborts, fewer component removals, and fewer unscheduled maintenance actions.
A major design feature of the MH-60S is the so-called 'common cockpit' shared with the
MH-60R Seahawk Multi-Mission Helicopter. This allows pilots to shift from one aircraft to another with minimal re-training.
The common cockpit is designed and supplied by Lockheed Martin Systems Integration in Owego, New York.
The common cockpit features the following: four 8x10 inch (20.3 x 25.4 cm) full-color flight and mission displays;
the Rockwell Collins AN/ARC-210 full digital communications suite;
the Northrop Grumman LN-100G Inertial Navigation System/Global Positioning System (INS/GPS);
the Ku-band Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) Hawklink System (supplied by Harris Corporation);
a mass memory data storage unit; a ruggedized integrated mission computer;
and a flight management computer and operations software.
The sensors package on the MH-60S includes the Raytheon
AN/AAS-44C(V) forward-looking infrared (FLIR) system for expanded night vision and Hellfire targeting capability;
the Raytheon AN/AQS-20A towed minehunting sonar system; the Exelis Organic Airborne and Surface Influence Sweep System (OASIS);
the Northrop Grumman AN/AES-1 Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS), which uses pulsed laser light and streak tube receivers (housed in an external equipment pod)
to image the entire near-surface area potentially containing mines; and military-off-the-shelf (MOTS) based mission and flight management computers.
The MH-60S is also equipped with the Raytheon AN/ASQ-235 Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS), which neutralizes moored and bottom mines.
Countermeasures on the MH-60S include the Northrop Grumman
AN/APR-39A(V)2 Radar Warning Receiver (RWR); Orbital ATK
AN/AAR-47 Missile Approach Warning System; BAE Systems AN/ALQ-144 infra-red countermeasures system;
and BAE Systems AN/ALE-39 chaff and flare decoy dispenser.
The MH-60S is designed to operate from amphibious assault ships, including the LHA 6 America Class
and Littoral Combat Ship (LCS), as well as the U.S. Navy's fast combat supply ships (USNS).
The MH-60S Seahawk is equipped with two M240 7.62mm machine guns and two GAU-21 .50 caliber machine guns and can be equipped with sixteen AGM-114 Hellfire missiles or four rocket pods for 2.75 inch (70mm) Hydra-70 rockets. For more detail, see specifications below.
A 15-year MH-60S production forecast is available through Forecast International's Platinum Forecast System, which includes a breakout of total market unit and value statistics by manufacturer and end-user. This real-time service also includes information on all prime and subcontractors, contract awards, worldwide inventories, a complete program history, and a rationale detailing the outlook of the program. A 10-year MH-60S production forecast is also available in report format through Forecast International's Rotorcraft Forecast service.
The MH-60S conducts vertical replenishment (VERTREP), day/night ship-to-ship, ship-to-shore, and shore-to-ship external transfer of cargo; internal transport of passengers, mail and cargo, vertical onboard delivery; air operations; and day/night search and rescue. Organic Airborne Mine Countermeasures (OAMCM) has been added as a primary mission for the MH-60S. Five separate sensors will be integrated into the MH-60S helicopter and will provide Carrier Battle Groups and Amphibious Readiness Groups with an OAMCM capability.
This data is available in Forecast International's U.S. Defense Budget Forecast, a comprehensive analytical database containing historical and forecast budget figures, year-to-year funding comparisons, congressional budget markups, program justification documents, and much more.
Source: U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), Sikorsky, General Electric Co.,
Raytheon, BAE Systems, and Northrop Grumman.
By Forecast International /// Contact Us for Data Products and Consulting Services
Rotorcraft Forecast: |
|
Complete and detailed information, including production forecast data, is provided in our Market Intelligence Service: Rotorcraft Forecast. |
Forecast International Budget Data: |
|
With Forecast International's U.S. Defense Budget Forecast, you not only get the latest program news, the DoD funding, worldwide inventories and planned quantities, long range forecasts, but most important – an expert's rationale for all programs and the overall market. |
|
Platinum Forecast System: |
The Platinum Forecast System® is a breakthrough in forecasting technology that enables you to select your own unique criteria to create distinct market segments.
With Platinum, you can create customized assessments that quickly identify both risk and future opportunities. System types and platforms, currencies, world regions
and more can all be input to collect the intelligence that you need, when you need it. Seize competitive advantage and discover what Platinum, the premier aerospace,
defense, power systems and electronics market forecasting tool, can do for you.
Click here for more information and a FREE demo.
|
|
|
|
|
|