The recent technological advancement on warfare has made it possible for helicopters to be
equipped with anti-submarine systems, and this absolutely has brought modern warfare
to new heights.
However, even among those sophisticated anti-submarine helicopters, we can rule out of which noted
as the most advanced one.
Which one is it?
Hello everyone.
Welcome back to another episode of Military TV.
Today, we are going to take a look at one of the best anti-submarine helicopters, the
MH-60R Seahawk.
If you are curious what this modern warfare machinery has to offer, don’t go anywhere
and stay until the end.
The rapid exploration and development on advanced nuclear-powered submarines of the 21st century
have given armies around the world a further reason to build special military equipment
to curtail the probability of these submarines gaining dominance in the naval contestation.
Since then, the development of cutting-edge helicopters meant for anti-submarine warfare
has gained undeniable significance.
With its modernized and newly established features, advanced anti-submarine helicopters
are famous to be highly effective in tracking and targeting the submarines.
However, among various types of anti-submarine helicopters which have been made to date,
MH-60R surely tops on another level.
Extremely powerful and capable, this US-made helicopters bear such incredible sensors that
arguably superior compared to its peers.
Also dubbed as ‘Romeo’, the MH-60R Seahawk is a multi-mission helicopter operated by
the US Navy.
It was actually a further development of the SH-60B Seahawk, with the development began
in 1993, until the first time it was deployed in 2009.
Currently, the US Navy has around 100 units of the helicopter which are being used concomitantly
by the Royal Australian Navy.
MH-60R Seahawk could be brought onboard any air-capable destroyer, frigate, cruiser, amphibious
assault ship, littoral combat ship or aircraft carrier, and it has the talent to handle anti-submarine
warfare, anti-surface warfare, naval special warfare, combat search and rescue, as well
as capable of conducting vertical replenishment and medical evacuation.
In addition, Seahawk also comes with five different designations (SH-60B, SH-60F, HH-60H,
MH-60R, and MH-60S).
Based on each version, their capabilities slightly differ.
The S-70B, S-70L, and S-70C helicopters are among another various varieties, but only
a few have been exported outside of the United States
What makes Seahawk special is the fact that it is equipped with cutting-edge mission systems
and sensors.
Modern airborne active sonar, multi-mode search radar, and a forward-looking infrared (FLIR)
turret located on the nose are also among notable features.
Its multi-mode search radar can detect and discriminate periscopes automatically, and
it also has sonobuoys that are launched from the air.
The magnetic anomaly detector suite, on the other hand, was deleted.
Data is sent via a high-speed airborne fleet data link.
So how this helicopter will work against the stealth submarines?
Typically, when operated, the MH-60R would be deployed from a cruiser, destroyer, or
other compatible warship with a landing deck.
Searching and tracking any hostile submarines near the ship are usually its primary missions,
though in other conditions it could be deployed to engage in anti-surface warfare.
One of the main superiorities of MH-60R is its capability in detecting very quiet and
stealthy submarines and hostile ship, as well as launching a torpedo against them.
However, the Romeo is not without some limits in its enhanced skills.
Since its first flight in 1979, for around 42 years the offensive ability of MH-60R is
relatively weaker compared to warship like destroyer, hence it still needs the rest of
the fleet for a total defence against submarines.
That’s all for today!
If you enjoy this video, don’t forget to like and subscribe.
See you in the next episode!