| The SH-60B Seahawk is a helicopter flown by | | | | (listening only) or active (similar to |
| the United States Navy. It performs a number | | | | radar-transmits a sound through the water and |
| of roles including anti-submarine warfare | | | | waits for it to bounce off of an object to |
| (ASW), surface search and control, anti-ship | | | | determine position and range). The Seahawk is |
| warfare, search and rescue and passenger and | | | | able to carry both the older Mark 46 |
| cargo delivery. The SH-60B is a variant of | | | | torpedoes and the newer Mark 50s. |
| the Army UH-60 Blackhawk and the Coast Guards | | | | |
| HH-60 Jayhawk. | | | | For anti-ship missions the Seahawk has the |
| | | | ability to carry anti-ship missiles such as |
| The Seahawk is a twin engine, single rotor | | | | the AGM-119 Penguin and the AGM-114 Hellfire. |
| aircraft built by Sikorsky Helicopter. It's | | | | The Seahawk is a LAMPS (Light Airborne |
| powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401C | | | | Multipurpose System) capable aircraft which |
| turbo-shaft engines that produce 1950 SHP | | | | means it's able to fully integrate its |
| (shaft horsepower) each. The helicopter is | | | | electronic sensors which include radar, ESM |
| based both on land bases and aboard ships but | | | | (Electronic Support Measures), FLIR (Forward |
| its primarily operated from Navy cruisers, | | | | Looking Infra Red), passive radar detection, |
| destroyers and frigates. The Seahawk has a | | | | and sonobuoys with vessels in the battle |
| maximum speed of 185 kts and is able to stay | | | | group. In essence whatever the Seahawk "sees" |
| aloft up to four hours depending on the | | | | or "hears" the battle group or individual |
| mission and the load out. The Seahawk usually | | | | ships within the battle group can "see" and |
| patrols an area in excess of 100 miles away | | | | "hear". Additionally, personnel onboard the |
| from its mother ship. It's able to extend the | | | | ship are able to operate the Seahawks sensors |
| battle groups eyes and ears. | | | | remotely. This makes the Seahawk an |
| | | | invaluable tool for searching, identifying, |
| For ASW missions the Seahawk carries a mix of | | | | targeting, and attacking enemy combatant |
| sonobuoys and torpedoes. Sonobuoys are | | | | ships. |
| underwater microphones that allow the | | | | |
| helicopter's crew to hear noises in the water | | | | For search and rescue missions the Seahawk is |
| that they can then classify as being a | | | | able to carry a variety of rescue and life |
| submarine. Sonobuoys can be passive | | | | support gear. |