Sikorsky S-70

MH-60S "Knighthawk"

The Navy decided to replace its venerable CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters in 1997.

After sea demonstrations by a converted UH-60, the Navy awarded production contract for the CH-60S in 1998.

The variant first flew in 27 January 2000 and it began flight testing later that year.

The CH-60S was redesignated MH-60S in February 2001 to reflect its planned multi-mission use.

The MH-60S is based on the UH-60L and has many naval SH-60 features.

Unlike all other Navy H-60s, the MH-60S is not based on the original S-70B/SH-60B platform with its forward-mounted twin tail-gear and single starboard sliding cabin door.

Instead, the S-model is a hybrid, featuring the main fuselage of the S-70A/UH-60, with large sliding doors on both sides of the cabin and a single aft-mounted tail wheel; and the engines, drivetrain and rotors of the S-70B/SH-60.

It is deployed aboard amphibious assault ships and fast combat supply ships.

It has two missions: troop transport and vertical replenishment (VERTREP), but can also perform search and rescue (SAR).

The MH-60S will, in the near future, deploy with the AQS-20A Mine Detection System and an Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) for identifying submerged objects in coastal waters.

The S-model is the first US Navy helicopter to field the glass cockpit whereby the flight data information is relayed to pilots using four digital screens rather than electromechanical gauges and dials.

The primary means of defense is with the M60D, M240 or GAU-17/A machine guns.

A "batwing" refit (Armed Helo Kit) based on the Army's UH-60L was developed to accommodate Hellfire, Hydra 70 2.75 inch rockets, or larger guns or cannons.

The MH-60S can be equipped with a nose mounted forward looking infrared (FLIR) turret to be used in conjunction with the Hellfire missiles and also carries the ALQ-144 Infrared Jammer.

The MH-60S is unofficially known as the "Knighthawk", reflecting its role as the designated successor of the Sea Knight, though this name was formally disapproved in favor of the "Seahawk" name.

A standard crew for the "Knighthawk" is one pilot, one copilot and two others depending on mission.

With the retirement of the Sea Knight, the squadron designation of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron (HC) was also retired from the Navy. Operating MH-60S squadrons were re-designated Helicopter Sea Combat (HSC).