H-60 helicopter

The H-60 helicopter family which is the U.S. military designation for the Sikorsky S-70 family of helicopters, is the most common U.S. military helicopter, with a wide range of versions and upgrades for different military missions. After the Vietnam War experience, with the UH-1 helicopter being an icon of that war, the United States Army wanted to move to the next generation, requesting proposals, in 1972, for the Huey's successor, termed the Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS).

First generation Army

As would be expected, the first model was the "A", although there soon were a number of derivatives. Not all the test and special missions, such as Customs Service and VIP transport, are discussed here, just H-60A derivatives with a clear military mission. These were a number of A-model utility transports, many exported, and the EH-60C SIGINT platform with the "Quickfix" emitter location and targeting system.

Second generation Army

The underpowered A models first became the base UH-60L, with an improved engine and transmission.

Medical evacuation versions were the UH-60Q, and the improved HH-60L.

Generation 2.5

A and L models were moved to M level, with structural improvements, digital cockpit, and an engine upgrade.

The HH-60M was the improved medevac version and the UH-60I had an Army Airborne *Command and Control System.

Special operations

In the U.S. designation system, the "M" prefix is supposed to mean "special operations". Unfortunately, while most "MH" helicopters of the Army and Air Force are indeed special operations, the Navy MH-60S and MH-60R are general purpose naval helicopters.

Army Special Operations

An interim MH-60A versions received air refueling probes, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and two Miniguns on pintle mounts in side windows.

Second generation

The first purpose-built Army Special Operations version was the MH-60K, which also can be a major rebuild of the MH-60A. Its primary mission is "overt or covert infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply of special operations forces" at night and in bad weather. To the MH-60A capabilities were added a AN/APQ-174 terrain following radar, more self-protection electronic warfare components, and support for FIM-92 Stinger and AGM-114 Hellfire. It also has a power upgrade of 2 General Electric T700-GE-701C engines.

The MH-60L is a slightly less advanced but cheaper version developed from the UH-60L utility helicopter.

Air Force

• HH-60G PAVE HAWK, a CSAR variant with GPS, navigation radar, and defensive avionics
• MH-60G PAVE HAWK, adding FLIR to the HH-60G.

Naval

RAST helps a helicopter fuel and land on forward strips and non-carrier warships. It consists of a cable and winch system with components both on the aircraft and surface platform.

Navy helicopters can give midcourse guidance to RIM-156 Standard SM-2 missiles fired in surface-to-surface mode, as well as direct control of their AGM-119 Penguin and AGM-114 Hellfire missiles.

First generation

The Navy also operated the elderly CH-46 Sea Knight as a utility helicopter, which was also the Marine medium assault helicopter.

• SH-60B Seahawk, navalized with RAST for operation from non-carrier warships; optimized for ASW and ASuW. Offensive radar, magnetic anomaly detector, electronic warfare receivers, and two torpedo/missile pylons.
• SH-60F Ocean Hawk, navalized for carrier operations, adding a dipping sonar that replaced RAST, an extra weapons store, and FLIR.
• HH-60H Rescue Hawk, CSAR based on navalized Seahawk with RAST; no refueling probe but extra tanks.

Second generation

• MH-60S Knighthawk, utility and mine countermeasures, replacing CH-46 Sea Knight utility, HH-60H Rescue Hawk, MH-53E Sea Dragon mine clearing. .
• MH-60R Seahawk, replacing the SH-60B and SH-60F in the multimission ASW/ASuW.

Coast Guard

• SH-60J, a Seahawk with RAST, search radar, additional navigation electronics, searchlight, night vision goggles and no weapons.