6 hours Ago By Trevor Filseth
Topic: AircraftBlog Brand: The BuzzRegion: AmericasTags: Aircraft, Helicopters, Seahawk, Technology, and U.S. NavyThe Navy’s Seahawk Helicopter Summed Up in Five Words April 22, 2025By: Brandon J.
WeichertShareShare this link on FacebookShare this page on X (Twitter)Share this link on LinkedInEmail a link to this pageWhether in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or throughout the Horn of Africa, the Seahawk has acquitted itself with honor over the course of its many combat deployments.The United States Navy’s Seahawk helicopter, designed the Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk, was born out of the United States Army’s Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) program. The UH-60 Black Hawk was the result of that program in the 1970s, which remains the workhorse of the Army’s helicopter fleet.
But the Navy at that time needed to replace the aging SH-3 Sea King, so the Navy purchased a modified variant of the Army’s Black Hawk that was adapted for naval flight operations. The Seahawk helicopter was born. Tasked with a multiplicity of mission sets in the Navy, including anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASuW), search-and-rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and special operations support, this adaptable and versatile bird is the backbone of the Navy’s rotor fleet.
These grey and white birds can almost always be seen flying in formation with various naval flotillas, helping the United States Navy to project power.The History of the Seahawk HelicopterThe SH-60B Seahawk first flew in 1983, and it entered regular service a year later. These birds were meant to operate from frigates, destroyers, and cruisers as an extension of their sensor and weapon systems.
A Seahawk’s airframe is designed to withstand the corrosive effects of saltwater, and it includes a folding main rotor and tail for compact storage aboard ships. Powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines, the Seahawk achieves a maximum speed of approximately 207 miles per hour and a range of over 518 miles. Radar, sonar, and electronic support measures enable these birds to detect and engage a variety of threats in complex maritime settings.
The Seahawk’s modular design allows for rapid reconfiguration to support the various missions it might be tasked with, which is one of the reasons why the bird has survived for this long as the Navy’s primary helo.The Seahawk Can Do Everything for the NavyThe Seahawk’s ability to deploy sonobuoys, use dipping sonar, and launch torpedoes allows it to counter the growing threat of advanced submarines, particularly in contested regions like the Indo-Pacific. In ASuW, Seahawks have been instrumental in countering small boat swarms and piracy, using precision-guided munitions to neutralize threats with minimal collateral damage.
The helicopter’s SAR and MEDEVAC capabilities have saved countless lives, from rescuing downed pilots to evacuating injured sailors during humanitarian crises.What’s more, the Seahawk has acquitted itself with honor over the course of its many combat deployments. Whether in the Persian Gulf, Afghanistan, or throughout the Horn of Africa, Seahawks have at times provided overwatch, logistics support, and direct fire support for ground and naval forces.
Nor is the Seahawk only useful in America’s wars. During humanitarian crises, such as disaster relief following the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami and Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Seahawks were a crucial tool of peace: they delivered aid, transported personnel, and conducted search-and-rescue under Herculean conditions. Keeping the Seahawk Relevant Through the 2030sDespite its long, successful track record in service to the Navy, the proliferation of advanced anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) systems, including sophisticated surface-to-air missiles and electronic warfare (EW) capabilities, poses severe risks to rotary-wing aircraft operating in contested regions.
To address these threats, the Navy has continued upgrading the MH-60R and MH-60S Seahawk with enhanced sensors, countermeasures, and connectivity to integrate with unmanned systems and next-generation platforms, such as the MQ-8C Fire Scout.While the MH-60R and MH-60S Seahawks are expected to remain in service through the 2030s, the Navy is already exploring options for a next-generation maritime helicopter under programs like the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) initiative. Of course, any successor will need to match—and preferably exceed—the Seahawk’s long service record and its remarkable capabilities.
About the Author: Brandon J. WeichertBrandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues.
Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold.
He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.Image: Shutterstock / Guillermo Pis Gonzalez.The post The Navy’s Seahawk Helicopter Summed Up in Five Words appeared first on The National Interest.
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