SH-60J

The SH‑60J is a maritime helicopter produced by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) under licence from Sikorsky as the Japanese version of the U.S. Navy’s SH‑60 Seahawk. Development began in the early 1980s to replace the aging Mitsubishi HSS‑2 fleet, and the type entered service with the Japan Maritime Self‑Defense Force (JMSDF) in 1991. Built at MHI’s Nagoya plant, the SH‑60J incorporates a three‑blade main rotor, twin‑turbo‑shaft engines delivering 1,800 horsepower each, and a reinforced airframe designed for salt‑water corrosion resistance. Its primary role is anti‑submarine warfare; it is equipped with a nose‑mounted APS‑125 search radar, a retractable dipping sonar, and can carry Mk 46 torpedoes, depth charges or sonobuoys. Additional avionics, including a digital flight‑control system and night‑vision compatible cockpit, give the SH‑60J all‑weather capability. The aircraft has proved pivotal in extending Japan’s maritime surveillance envelope, contributing to the protection of vital sea lanes and enhancing interoperability with U.S. naval forces. Continuous upgrades, culminating in the more capable SH‑60K, underline the SH‑60J’s lasting influence on modern naval aviation and Japan’s indigenous aerospace industry. The SH‑60J can reach a maximum speed of 260 km/h and an endurance of up to six hours, allowing extended patrols over the Pacific.