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 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.
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.
SH-60F Oceanhawk News |
Israeli SH-60F Overhaul Contract
26-Jan-22 - Science and Engineering Services (SES) awarded $13M contract to return to flight, repairs and storage of 3 ex US Navy SH-60F Seahawk helicopters to be delivered to the Israeli Navy in 2024 #Israel
Four Refurbished SH-60F Seahawks for Spanish Navy
04-Dec-18 - FMS contract for refurbishment of four ex US Navy SH-60F Seahawks for the Spanish Navy. Will be delivered by 2021 and used in the transport role as SH-3G replacements #Seahawks
VX-31 Air Test and Evaluation Squadron
13-Jul-18 - US Navy Air Test and Evaluation Squadron VX-31 use the SH-60F Seahawk to supports testing projects and provide Search and Rescue (SAR) at China Lake air naval base #evaluation
Eight SH-60F Seahawks to Israel
06-Jul-16 - Israel requested 8 ex US Navy SH-60F Seahawk helicopters via FMS to be used onboard 4 new frigates. The estimated cost is $300 million.
US Navy refurbishing 2 SH-60F for Spanish Navy
29-May-14 - JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (NNS) -- Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) hosted representatives from Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) Program Manager Air (PMA) 299 and members of the Spanish navy for the annual SH-60B and SH-60F helicopter program management review (PMR) at the military depot May 13-15. List of Operators of SH-60F Oceanhawk |
| Years | Model | Org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983- | S-70 H-60 |  US Navy | |
| 1989- | S-70 H-60 |  Arma Aerea de la Armada Española | |
| 1990- | S-70 H-60 | US Coast Guard | |
| 2024 |  Heil HaYam HaYisraeli |
Global Distribution of SH-60F Oceanhawk |
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