Fleet Air Arm
Association of Australia
Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawk Helicopter
Navy S-70B-2 Seahawk anti-submarine helicopter
Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft
Type: anti-submarine helicopter
Delivered: 16 helicopters, 1988-92
Length: 19.8 metres
Height: 5.2 metres
Width: 16.4 metres (rotors spread)
Weight: 9,947 kg
Speed: 330 kph
Range: 1,295 km
Crew: 3 (pilot, tactical coordinator, sensor operator)
Engines: two GE T-700 turboshaft
Weapons: two Mk46 torpedoes; one 7.62 machine gun
The S-70B-2 Seahawk is a twin-engine helicopter with many features designed specifically for ship-borne operations.
Fitted with a foldable four bladed main rotor and tail rotor pylon (to enable
the aircraft to be stowed in the hanger aboard a frigate), the Seahawk is a
conventional helicopter.
However, it is an advanced anti-submarine warfare 'craft with a high level of
integration of its tactical, navigation, communications and weapons systems.
The RAN operates 16 Seahawks. The Sikorsky Aircraft Division of United
Technologies Corporation in Florida, USA, manufactured the first batch of eight aircraft. Aerospace Technologies Australia (ASTA) at Avalon in Victoria
assembled a second batch of eight aircraft. The final aircraft was delivered to the RAN in 1992.
The S-70B-2 is powered by twin T700-GE-401C turbine jet engines.
To detect submarines, it is equipped with radar, acoustic processor and magnetic anomaly detector and can use a wide range of expendable sonobuoys. The avionics system is built around a dual MIL-STD1553B data bus controlled by two computers.
Once detected and classified, submarine contacts can be dealt with by launching Mk46 lightweight torpedoes.
In its role of anti-submarine warfare, the aircrew employs the aircraft's
acoustic system to simultaneously monitor a number of sonobuoys, which are deployed from the aircraft in-flight.
In the aircraft's role of anti-surface warfare, the lightweight radar is
capable of automatically tracking contacts.
The radar can detect targets at ranges far beyond the coverage provided by surface ships in a task force, with all information processed on board being capable of transmission in high-speed bursts (via secure data-link) to the operations rooms of the Navy's FFGs.
The aircraft's navigation suite, which integrates data from GPS, doppler and
air-data computers, produces a constantly updated position which allows for
accurate targeting for a ship's Harpoon missiles.
The aircraft is operated by a crew of three - one pilot (who is the aircraft
captain), one observer and one aircrewman.
In addition to its primary warfare roles, the S-70B-2, with its built-in winch and cargo hook, is also used extensively at sea to transfer personnel and for
the vertical replenishment of stores to ships while they remain under way.
With minor modification, the aircraft is capable of being converted to a troop-carrying role, lifting up to 10 troops at a time.
It also makes a capable maritime search and rescue platform capable of
day and night rescues, as shown by rescues during the 1998 Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
The Seahawk is expected to be the mainstay of the Fleet Air Arm for at least
the next 20 years.
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