SH-2 Seasprite

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SH-2 Seasprite
Image:Kaman Seasprite 3 USAF Maxwell AFB.jpg
Description
Role	ASW, ASuW, ASMD, ASST
Crew	3: Pilot Co-Pilot/Tactical Coordinator (TACCO), Sensor Operator (SENSO)
Dimensions
Length	52 ft 9 in (15.9 m)
Wingspan	44 ft (13.4 m) rotor
Height	15 ft (4.5 m)
Wing area	N/A
Weights
Empty	9,110 lb (4,130 kg)
Loaded
Maximum take-off	13,500 lb (6,120 kg)
Powerplant
Engines	Two T700-GE-401/401C turboshaft engines (SH-2G) Two T58-GE-8F turboshaft engines (SH-2F)
Power
Performance
Maximum speed	150 knots maximum (170 mph, 280 km/h)
Combat range
Ferry range
Service ceiling	10,000 ft (3,000 m) at 13,500 lb (6,120 kg)
Rate of climb
Armament
Guns	N/A
Bombs	N/A
Torpedoes	2 Mk. 46 torpedoes

The Kaman SH-2G Seasprite is a United States Navy ship-based helicopter with anti-submarine, anti-surface threat capability, including over-the-horizon targeting. This aircraft extends and increases shipboard sensor and weapon capabilities against several types of enemy threats, including submarines of all types, surface ships, and patrol craft that may be armed with anti-ship missiles.

The Seasprite's primary missions include anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare, anti-ship missile defense, and anti-ship surveillance and targeting. Secondary missions may include medical evacuation, search and rescue, personal and cargo transfer, as well as small boat interdiction, amphibious assault air support, gun fire spotting, mine detection and battle damage assessment.

The H-2 originally entered Naval service as the Kaman HU2K-1, a single-engine light utility helicopter primarily deployed aboard aircraft carriers in a Search-and-Rescue (SAR) role. When the aircraft numbering system was changed in 1962, the HU2K-1 was redesignated the UH-2A and the HU2K-1U was redesignated UH-2B. The airframe continued to undergo upgrades, most significantly the addition of a second engine and external stores stations, and the HH-2D was selected to be the airframe for the Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) when the program was stood up in 1972. LAMPS evolved in the late 60's from an urgent requirement to develop a manned helicopter that would support a non-aviation ship and serve as its tactical Anti-Submarine Warfare arm. Known as LAMPS Mk I, the advanced sensors, processors, and display capabilities aboard the helicopter enabled ships to extend their situational awareness beyond the line-of-sight limitations that hamper shipboard radars and the short distances for acoustic detection and prosecution of underwater threats associated with hull-mounted sonars. H-2s reconfigured for the LAMPS mission were redesignated SH-2D. The first operational SH-2D/LAMPS helicopter embarked on the USS Belknap (CG-26) in December 1971. Eventually all but two H-2s in the Navy inventory were remanufactured into SH-2Fs, and 59 SH-2Fs were built from the ground up in the 1980s. The final production procurement of the SH-2F was in Fiscal Year 1986. The SH-2F was retired from active service in October 1993, at roughly the same time that the Navy retired and/or sold the last of its (Viet Nam era) Knox Class Frigates that could not accommodate the newly acquired (and larger) SH-60 Seahawk. Some late-production SH-2Fs were either completed as, or have been converted to the upgraded SH-2Gs Super Seasprite variant.
The final variant of the SH-2(F) type took place in 1987 when several aircraft were up-fitted with chin mounted Forward Looking Infrared Sensors (FLIR), Chaff (AIRBOC)/Flares, dual rear mounted IR scramblers, Missile/Mine detecting equipment and M-60D machine guns mounted on both sides of the aircraft, these SH-2F's were not so commonly called Seawolf and/or Attack Wolf’s. They were utilized to enforce Operation Ernest Will (July, 1987) and later Operation Praying Mantis (April, 1988) and Desert Storm (Jan 1991) in the Persian Gulf region. The added countermeasures and equipment gave the SH-2F's enhanced survivability while taking on more surface related combat tasking in an environment of limited submarine threat.

The SH-2F was infamous with Naval aircrew for its high accident rate and dismal 30+ maintenance-hour-per-flight-hour requirement, the highest of any aircraft in the Navy at the time this type was retired from active service. Many of the accidents and maintenance costs were attributed to the severe environment in which this aircraft was operated. This aircraft was "lovingly" referred to as the "Kaman Coffin" by enlisted Anti-Submarine Warfare System Operators.

The SH-2G Super Seasprite was retired from service with the U.S Navy Reserve in May 2001 but currently remains in active service with the Royal Australian Navy, the Royal New Zealand Navy, the Polish Navy, and the Egyptian Navy.

1 General Characteristics
2 Deployment in Australia
3 Deployment in New Zealand
4 External links

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General Characteristics

Primary Function: ASW, ASuW, ASMD, ASST, SAR, Utility
Contractor: Kaman
Unit Cost: US$26 million (SH-2G)
$16 million (SH-2F)
Propulsion: Two T700-GE-401/401C turboshaft engines (SH-2G)
Two T58-GE-8F turboshaft engines producing 1,450 shp (SH-2F)
Length: 52 ft 9 in (15.9 m)
Fuselage length: 40 ft 6 in (12.2 m)
Height: 15 ft (4.5 m)
Weight: 9,110 lb (4,130 kg) empty
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 13,500 lb (6,120 kg) normal takeoff
Range: 450 (SH-2F) 540 (SH-2G) nautical miles (490 statute miles) 4.5 hours (SH-2F) 5.3 hours (SH-2G) with maximum fuel (including external aux tanks).
Ceiling: 10,000 ft (3,000 m) at 13,500 lb (6,120 kg) (SH-2G)
11,850 ft (3,600 m) at 13,500 lb (6,120 kg) (SH-2F) with a max service ceiling of 20,400 ft (6,200 m) (SH-2G) 23,000 ft (7,000 m) (SH-2F)
Max rate of climb: 2,400 ft per minute (12.1 m/s) (SH-2F) 2,070 ft per minute (10.5 m/s) (SH-2G)
Speed: 150 knots maximum (170 mph, 280 km/h) (SH-2G)
139.5 knots maximum (159 mph, 255 km/h) (SH-2F)
Crew: Three (2 pilots + 1 aircrew)
Armament: Two Mk 44, 46 or Mk 50 torpedoes M-60 (7.62mm) Machine Guns (2). Non-US aircraft carry a variety of guided missiles
Date Deployed:
- First flight: July 2, 1959 (HU2K-1)
- Operational: December 1962 (HU2K-1)
Last West Coast Deployment:
- HSL-33 - A two aircraft deployment on the USS Callaghan

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Deployment in Australia

As of 2005, Australia has purchased 11 Seasprites for the Fleet Air Arm for the Anzac class. However, an extensive range of deficiencies have been identitifed in the avionics which were only for the Australian version, and the existing helicopters have been restricted to performing simple tasks, until the validation of the avionics is complete for all weathers.[1].

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Deployment in New Zealand

Image:SH2G in Te Mana.JPG New Zealand purchased 5 SH-2G at the same time as Australia, (but with different avionics, and the Kiwi aircraft were new-build airframes, not rebuilt American SH2-Fs. The SH2G purchase was brought in NZ$12 million under the $338 million, budgeted, excluding GST, when the contract was let in 1997. The first RNZAF SH2G was delivered in mid-2001, the last was delivered February 2003.

The Royal New Zealand Navy operates the type from its Anzac class frigate. When new patrol and support vessels are delivered in 2006 and 2007 it will also operate from those. They were initially operated by No. 3 Squadron RNZAF, but now form No. 6 Squadron RNZAF.

Prior to receiving SH-2Gs, the RNZN replaced Westland Wasp with SH-2Fs. RNZN Seasprites have seen service in East Timor. An SH2F is preserved in the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum.

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