SH-60B SEAHAWK

The Sikorsky SH-60 Sea Hawk is a US-made multi-role and anti-submarine (ZOP) sea helicopter with a metal structure in a classic arrangement with a main rotor and a tail rotor on the beam. The drive is provided by two General Electric T-700-GE-401-C engines with a capacity of 1714 KM each. The first prototype flew in December 1979, and serial production, which started in 1982, is still ongoing. It is estimated that over 900 copies of this helicopter were built by 2017. The Sikorsky SH-60 was created in response to the US Navy's demand for a new on-board helicopter to replace the SH-2 Seasprite machines. The new helicopter was to carry elements and cooperate with the LAMPS Mk. II. About 80% of the SH-60 B machine is similar to the UH-60 helicopter, but it differs from it as it is adapted to operate in sea conditions, a different chassis, a stronger hull, new engines, avionics, two pylons added for external weapons - in fact we can talk about two different helicopters having many common features. During the serial production of the SH-60, many development versions of this very solid and successful helicopter were created. The basic version is the SH-60B - an on-board helicopter dedicated to US Navy ships (destroyers and cruisers), intended for ZOP operations and destroying surface ships. A version of the SH-60 F (Ocean Hawk) was also developed, intended only for aircraft carrier operations, intended only for ZOP operations. The HH-60H Rescue Hawk was later developed for Search and Rescue. SH-60 machines have been exported to many countries, including Australia, Brazil, Denmark and Japan.