Sikorsky HH-60H/MH-60S
The Sikorsky H-60 Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine, multi-mission US Navy helicopter based on the US Army’s Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The most significant airframe modifications are a folding main rotor and hinged/folding tail pylon to reduce its footprint aboard ships.
The US Navy uses the H-60 airframe under the model designations SH-60B, SH-60F, HH-60H, MH-60R and MH-60S. Able to deploy aboard any air-capable frigate, destroyer, cruiser, fast combat support ship, amphibious assault ship or aircraft carrier, the Seahawk can handle anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), naval special warfare (NSW) insertion, search and rescue (SAR), combat search and rescue (CSAR), vertical replenishment (VERTREP), and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). All Navy H-60s carry a rescue hoist for SAR/CSAR missions.
Based on the SH-60F, the HH-60H (in the background) was developed in conjunction with the US Coast Guard’s HH-60J. The Navy competed the requirement with two competitors responding, Sikorsky with the SH-60F and Kaman with the SH-2. In September 1986, Sikorsky was awarded a contract for the first five helicopters. The variant’s first flight occurred on Aug. 17, 1988. Deliveries of the HH-60H began in 1989. The variant earned initial operating capability in April 1990 and was deployed to Desert Storm with HCS-4 and HCS-5 in 1991. The HH-60H’s official DoD and Sikorsky name is Seahawk, though it has been called “Rescue Hawk.” The HH-60H was based on the SH-60B, and thus has a narrow base, with the tail wheel under the rear fuselage.
The MH-60S (foreground) is unofficially known as the “Knighthawk” (referring to the preceding CH-46 Sea Knight), though “Seahawk” is its official DoD name. A standard crew for the MH-60S is one pilot, one copilot and, depending on mission, two tactical aircrewmen. With the retirement of the Sea Knight, the squadron designation of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) was also retired from the Navy. Operating MH-60S squadrons were re-designated Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) and perform vertical replenishment, combat search and rescue, and special warfare support. The MH-60S was based on the US Army’s UH-60L airframe, and thus has a far aft tailwheel.
Photo by Skip Robinson for Vertical Magazine
Description by Paul Fardink
- Sikorsky MH-60S, Vertipedia, Vertical Flight Society
- Sikorsky S-70B, Igor I. Sikorsky Historical Archives website
- SH-60F/HH-60H/HH-60J (Sikorsky S-70B) Seahawk Helicopter, Ken Caniglia, Naval Helicopter Association Historical Society website
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