HELICOPTERS - Brief Article

All Hands, Jan, 2001

SH/HH-60 Seahawk

The SH-60E is a twin-engine helicopter used for and-submarine warfare, search and rescue, drug interdiction, anti-ship warfare, cargo lift and special operations. The SH-60B is an airborne platform based aboard cruisers, destroyers and frigates, that deploys sonobueys and torpedoes in an anti-submarine role while extending the range of the ship's radar capabilities. The SH-60F is carrier based. The HH-60A is designed to accomplish today's combat search and rescue mission as well as other replenishment and utility functions.

LENGTH: 40 ft., 11 in. (rotors and tail pylon folded)

HEIGHT: 17 ft.

WEIGHT: 21,684 lbs. maximum takeoff

SPEED: 169 mph

RANGE: 380 nm

ARMAMENT: MK46/50 torpedoes (SH-60B/F); 7.62mm or .50-caliber machine guns (SH-60B); Helifire and Penguin air-to-surface missiles

CREW: 3 (two pilots, one crewman (SH-60B); or 4 (two pilots, two crewman (SH-60F).

CH-46 Sea Knight

The CH-46D is a tandem-rotor transport helicopter designed for both land- and sea-based operations. It can accommodate 25 passengers or 15 litters, with two medical attendants or 15 litters, with two medical attendants or 10,000 lbs. Of sling-loaded cargo.

LENGTH: 84.3 ft.

HEIGHT: 16.7 ft.

WEIGHT: 23,000 lbs. maximum takeoff

SPEED: 162 mph

CEILING: 10,000 ft.

RANGE: 150 nm

CREW: 3 (two pilots, one crewman)

SH-3 Sea King

The first version of this workhorse anti-submarine warfare helicopter was flown more than 38 years ago. The H-3's versatility was emphasized during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm when 36 Sea Kings, flying from carriers, logged more than 5,000 hours conducting combat SAR, special operations, maritime interdiction operations, logistics support and mine hunting. The SH-3H has been replaced in the fleet by SH-60P and HH-60H aircraft. The UH-3Hs are programmed to be replaced by the CH-60 version of the Sikorsky Biackhawk/Seahawk.

LENGTH: 72 ft., 8 in

HEIGHT: 16 ft., 10 in.

WEIGHT: 21,000 lbs. maximum takeoff

SPEED: 165 mph

CEILING: 14,700 ft.

RANGE: 542 nm

ARMAMENT: MK46/50 torpedoes, 7.62mm machine guns

CREW: 3 to 4 (two pilots, 1 to 2 crewmen)

TH-57 Sea Ranger

The TH-57 Sea Ranger is used to train several hundred student naval aviators with 45 TH-57Bs (for primary visual flight rules training) and 71 TH-57Cs (for advanced instrument flight rules training) in two helicopter training squadrons at NAS Whiting Field, Milton, Fla. Two TH-57Cs configured for RDT&E are used for photo, chase and utility Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Patuxent River, Md.

LENGTH: 39 ft.

HEIGHT: 10 ft.

WEIGHT: 3,200 lbs. maximum takeoff

SPEED: 138 mph

CEILING: 20,000 ft., pressure altitude

RANGE: 368 nm

CREW: 5 (one pilot, four student pilots)

MH-53 Sea Dragon/CH-53 Sea Stallion

The MH-53E, a mine-counter-measures derivative or the CH-53E Super Stallion, is heavier and has a greater fuel capacity than the Super Stallion. Capable of transporting up to 55 troops, the MH-53E can carry a 16-ton payload 50 nautical miles, or a 10-ton payload 500 nautical miles. In its primary mission of airborne mine countermeasures, the MH-53E is capable of towing a variety of mine-countermeasures systems.

LENGTH: 99 ft. (rotors turning)

HEIGHT: 29 ft., 5 in. (tail rotor turning)

WEIGHT: 73,500 lbs. maximum takeoff

SPEED: 196 mph

CEILING: 18,500 ft.

RANGE: 1,120 nm

CREW: 3 to 8 (two pilots, 1 to 6 crewmen)

SH-2G Seasprite

The SH-2G Seasprite first flew in 1959 and served long as a utility and search-and-rescue helicopter and later as the first light airborne multipurpose system (LAMPS) helicopter.

LENGTH: 38 ft., 4 in. (nose and blades folded)

HEIGHT: 15 f., 6 in. (rotors turning)

WEIGHT: 12,800 lbs. normal takeoff

SPEED: 165 nm

CEILING: 22,500 ft.

RANGE: 367 nm

ARMAMENT: MK46/50 torpedoes; 7.62mm machine guns

CREW: 3 (two pilots, one sensor operator)