Navy Selects MH-60R Seahawk for Next-Generation Maritime Operations Helicopters
The Navy has selected the MH-60R Seahawk as its next-generation maritime operations helicopter, with plans to acquire 12 units by 2025. This decision marks the second phase of a project to introduce 20 maritime helicopters. The first phase saw the integration of eight AW-159 Wildcat helicopters. Once the 12 MH-60R Seahawks are delivered, they will be deployed on Aegis destroyers like the King Jeongjo class and on escort ships.
The new MH-60R Seahawks will replace the aging Lynx helicopters currently in service. The Navy’s fleet includes about 30 maritime helicopters, comprising 11 Lynx helicopters introduced in 1990, 11 Super Lynx helicopters from 2000, and eight AW-159 Wildcats introduced in 2016. Given that the Lynx helicopters have been in service for up to 33 years, they are now quite outdated.
The MH-60R Seahawk, produced by Sikorsky—a Lockheed Martin subsidiary—is a navalized version of the UH-60 Black Hawk, a multi-role helicopter used by the U.S. Army. It is notably larger than the Lynx, measuring 19.7 meters in length, 5.1 meters in height, and a wingspan of 3.3 meters. The Seahawk can reach speeds of up to 270 km/h and has a maximum range of 830 km. It can carry torpedoes and anti-ship missiles and remain operational for up to four hours per flight.
With the introduction of the MH-60R Seahawk, the Navy anticipates a substantial boost in its capability to detect, track, and intercept submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), including those from North Korean submarines. The overall maritime kill chain will also be significantly strengthened with the full deployment of six P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft this year.
MH-60R Seahawk: Specifications and Operational Plans
The MH-60R Seahawk boasts a primary rotor diameter of 19.76 meters and has a self-weight of 6.895 tons, with a maximum takeoff weight of 10.4 tons—comparable to larger aircraft. It has various armaments, including Hellfire anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and machine guns (M60 or M240). The helicopter also features advanced technologies such as sonobuoys, search radar, and multi-mode radar. It can conduct anti-submarine operations for up to 2.7 hours and anti-surface operations for up to 3.3 hours.
The Seahawk utilizes a dipping sonar that can detect underwater targets at depths of up to 500 meters, with a search radius of 18.5 kilometers and an effective detection range of 12.9 kilometers. The MH-60R Seahawk is operational with the U.S. Navy and several other navies, including Japan, Taiwan, Greece, Spain, Brazil, Thailand, and Turkey. More than 320 units are deployed worldwide with various naval and air forces.
The Navy plans to integrate the MH-60R Seahawk into its next-generation Aegis destroyers, the King Jeongjo class, to enhance its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Instead of the U.S.-made MK 54 torpedo initially intended for the Seahawk, the Navy will fit it with the domestically produced Cheongsang (K745) torpedo. This adjustment is due to delays in acquiring the MK 54 torpedo caused by global supply chain disruptions from the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia.
The Cheongsang torpedo, currently used on the AW-159 Wildcat, is known for its excellent target detection capabilities, precise underwater guidance control, and increased destructive power, making it highly effective against submarines.
MH-60R Seahawk: Advanced Capabilities and Operational Strengths
According to Lockheed Martin, the MH-60R Seahawk is a highly versatile maritime operational helicopter designed for various missions. It can operate from destroyers, frigates, and aircraft carriers and engage submarines and surface ships. The helicopter supports search and rescue missions, vertical replenishment, and special forces operations.
Equipped with advanced detection systems, the MH-60R Seahawk features multi-mode radar, dipping sonar, sonobuoys, infrared equipment (FLIR), and an integrated defensive system. It has four weapon stations can carry ML 46/54 torpedoes and up to eight Hellfire anti-ship missiles, making it a powerful asset for submarine detection, tracking, and attack.
The Seahawk’s core sensor is the APS-153(V) multi-mode radar, which enhances its anti-submarine warfare capabilities. This radar automatically detects submarine periscopes, distinguishes and tracks floating debris on the water’s surface with the ARPDD mode, and provides high-resolution radar imagery for optimal submarine detection.
Compared to the older Lynx helicopters, the MH-60R Seahawk features improved low-frequency sonar with a detection range about four times greater than that of the Lynx. It also includes an integrated mission system that enhances combat efficiency by quickly analyzing battlefield information and assisting pilots in making informed decisions in complex and dynamic scenarios.
The MH-60R Seahawk is also noted for its extensive operational hours and cost-effectiveness. As of early 2023, the helicopter has exceeded 1 million flight hours, underscoring its reliability. Its cost per flight hour is $5,000 (approximately 6.9 million KRW), the lowest among comparable models. It boasts a high availability rate of 95% to 98%, significantly surpassing the older Lynx in operational readiness.
South Korean Navy to Enhance Maritime Helicopter Fleet with New Procurement Plans
The South Korean Navy is set to further bolster its maritime helicopter fleet with the upcoming “Maritime Operation Helicopter-II” (MOH-II) project, which is scheduled to launch in 2025. This initiative follows the first and second phases of the Navy’s maritime helicopter procurement program and aims to replace the aging Lynx helicopters.
On December 29, 2023, the 158th Defense Acquisition Program Promotion Committee met to review and approve the basic strategy for the MOH-II project. The project, which will be carried out through international procurement, will span from 2025 to 2032 with a total budget of approximately 2.87 trillion KRW (about $2.1 billion). While the exact number of helicopters to be acquired has not been specified, it is expected that around 24 units will be purchased to replace the current Lynx fleet.
Two leading contenders for the new helicopters are the Lockheed Martin MH-60R Seahawk and the European NHIndustries NH90 NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter). NHIndustries did not submit a proposal in the project’s second phase, so its involvement in this round is uncertain. The MOH-II project will be pursued through a competitive bidding process.
Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) had expressed interest in its MUH-1 Mariner-based maritime helicopter, but with the decision to proceed with international procurement, it has missed its chance to participate.
Although the AW-159 Wildcat was considered a candidate, it was excluded from the list due to its limited endurance. The AW-159 Wildcat, equipped with the “Cheongsang-eo” lightweight torpedo for submarine attacks and a 12.7mm machine gun for small targets, also features a high-performance multi-mode phased-array radar with a detection range of up to 360 km and electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors for long-range surveillance. The Wildcat measures 15.24 meters in length, 3.73 meters in height, and has a main rotor diameter of 12.8 meters. It has a maximum takeoff weight of 6.5 tons, a top speed of 264 km/h, and a maximum range of 490 km.
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