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Sikorsky SH-60F Oceanhawk

1987 · Twin-engine turbine helicopter

Factory at US Stratford

History C/N News
The Sikorsky S-70B-4 was the US Navy carrier-borne variant of the Seahawk developed to replace the SH-3 Sea King.

They were initially known as Oceanhawk by the manufacturer but the official name was always Seahawk.

They were replaced by the MH-60S Knight Hawk. In their last years of service they were re-roled to land-based rescue, VIP duties or transferred to the Coast Guard.

Although very similar to the contemporary SH-60B variant which operated from escorts ships, the Foxtrot used the AQS-13F dipping sonar for antisubmarine warfare (ASW) instead of sonobuoys and also lacked the search radar. They were used for two additional important tasks, logistic supports (VERTREP from replenishment ships) and plane guard.

Plane Guard


Plane guards are the responsible of quickly recover any aircrew that ditch or crash in the water during the carrier flight operations. There is always a helo flying nearby whenever an aircraft is about to land or taking off. For this role the SH-60F used to carry an extra 105 gallon cabin fuel tank located behind left pilot seat and forward of TSO console in order to allow them to complete two fixed wing cycles like the SH-3H did.
blueprints SH-60F Oceanhawk

Operators

1983- US US Navy S-70 H-60
1989- ES Arma Aérea de la Armada Española S-70 H-60
1990- US US Coast Guard S-70 H-60
2024- IL Heil HaYam HaYisraeli