MH-60R anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare
Why in News?
The MH-60R (Romeo) Seahawk helicopter is actively in the news because the U.S. Embassy announced the fresh arrival of these advanced sub-hunters to India, bringing the Indian Navy's delivered fleet size to 21 out of 24 ordered aircraft.
About
- The Manufacturer: Developed and manufactured by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company.
- Platform Origin: It is a heavily modified, all-weather, twin-engine maritime variant of the iconic UH-60 Blackhawk utility helicopter.
- Primary Missions: Purpose-built for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW).
- Secondary Roles: Capable of executing search and rescue (SAR), vertical replenishment (VERTREP), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), and communications relay.
- Dipping Sonar: Uses the advanced AN/AQS-22 low-frequency dipping sonar, lowered directly into the sea from a hover to spot hidden submarines.
- Sonobuoys: Drops acoustic floating sensors across wide ocean patches to track subsurface movements continuously.
- The Kill Weapon: Armed with Mk 54 lightweight torpedoes designed to destroy fast, deep-diving conventional and nuclear submarines.
- Multi-Mode Radar: Employs the AN/APS-153 radar system, which automatically singles out surface threats, tiny targets, and submarine periscopes out of rough sea clutter.
- Missile Armament: Equipped with AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles and precision-guided rockets to strike fast attack craft, frigates, or destroyers.
- Close Range Defense: Fitted with crew-served .50 calibre or 7.62 mm machine guns for tackling asymmetric threats like sea pirates.
- Flying Speed: Powered by twin General Electric engines, cruising at 267 km/h with a maximum speed of 333 km/h.
- Operational Reach: Features a combat range of roughly 830 km with an endurance of up to four hours.
- Electronic Self-Protection: Features automated sensors that deploy chaff and infrared flares to deflect incoming enemy missiles.
- Dual-Coast Strategy: The aircraft are organized into two active squadrons to cover both sides of the peninsula.
- INAS 334 ("Seahawks"): The first squadron, commissioned in March 2024 at INS Garuda in Kochi, guarding the eastern seaboard.
- INAS 335 ("Ospreys"): The second squadron, raised in December 2025 at INS Hansa in Goa, securing the western seaboard.
- Warship Integration: Operating directly from the decks of aircraft carriers like INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya, as well as stealth destroyers and guided-missile frigates.
