Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk

The Sikorsky SH‑60B Seahawk, developed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in the early 1980s, is a naval variant of the U.S. Army’s UH‑60 Black Hawk designed specifically for anti‑submarine warfare, surface surveillance and search‑and‑rescue missions. First flown in 1983 and entering U.S. Navy service in 1984, the SH‑60B replaced the older SH‑2F Seasprite, bringing modern avionics, greater endurance and a more powerful General Electric T700‑GE-401C turboshaft engine delivering 1,590 shaft horsepower. Its twin‑engine, four‑blade main rotor and retractable landing gear enable operation from the flight decks of Ticonderoga‑class cruisers, Arleigh Burke‑class destroyers and aircraft carriers. Key features include an integrated sonar suite with a retractable dipping sonar, radar and electronic support measures, as well as the ability to launch and recover AGM‑84 Harpoon anti‑ship missiles, Mk 46 torpedoes and sonobuoys from its internal weapons bay. Over 200 SH‑60Bs have been built, serving not only the U.S. Navy but also allied forces such as Japan, Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom. The aircraft’s reliability, versatility and advanced sensor package have made it a cornerstone of modern maritime aviation, shaping anti‑submarine tactics and extending the reach of surface combatants well into the 21st century.