SH-2 Seasprite

Infobox Aircraft
name= SH-2 Seasprite


caption= SH-2F Seasprite of the US Navy
type= ASW helicopter
manufacturer= Kaman Aircraft Corporation
designer=
first flight= July 2, avyear|1959 (HU2K-1)
introduction= December avyear|1962
retired=
status=
primary user= United States Navy
more users= Egyptian Navy New Zealand Navy Polish Navy
produced=
number built=
unit cost=US$26 million (SH-2G)
$16 million (SH-2F)
developed from =
variants with their own articles=

The Kaman SH-2 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.

Design and development

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.

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 then in Navy inventory were remanufactured into SH-2Fs, and 59 SH-2Fs were built new 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 Sea Hawk. Some late-production SH-2Fs were either completed as, or have been converted to, the upgraded SH-2G Super Seasprite variant.

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

The only remaining U.S. Navy HH-2D, bureau number 149031 / callsign Copyright 14, is currently on display at the American Helicopter Museum & Education Center in West Chester, Pennsylvania. It is outdoors unprotected from the elements and appears to be decaying badly. An SH-2F, bureau number unknown, is on outside display at the National Museum of Naval Aviation on board Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida and another is on outside display at the intersection of Tow Way Road and Quentin Roosevelt Blvd aboard Naval Air Station North Island, Coronado, California.

Australia

The Royal Australian Navy (RAN) began operating SH-2G(A) Super Seasprites in 2003, but they were scrapped in 2008, following technological problems and cost overruns. In the late 1980s and early 1990s the RAN decided it needed an intermediate helicopter to operate from both "ANZAC" class frigates and an Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) it had hoped to build in conjunction with Malaysia. The OPVs, being smaller than the "Anzac" class, required a smaller helicopter than those being operated by the RAN at the time. In 1997, the Australian Government signed a A$667 million contract with Kaman to purchase 11 upgraded Super Seasprites.cite news |first=Patrick |last=Walters |authorlink= |author= |coauthors= |title=Seasprite headed for the junk pile |url=http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21201454-601,00.html |format= |work=The Australian |publisher=News Corporation |id= |pages=p. 1-2 |page= |date=2007-02-10 |accessdate=2007-02-11 |language= |quote= ] However, the OPV was effectively abandoned in February 1998, when Malaysia selected a German tender over the one submitted by the Australian company Transfield, now known as Tenix. [cite news | last = Forbes | first = Mark | title = How a helicopter deal flew into trouble | work = The Age |publisher=John Fairfax Holdings| date = 17 June 2002 | url = http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2002/06/16/1023864378971.html | accessdate = 2007-11-05 ]

By February 2007, 10 Super Seasprites had been delivered to the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Air Arm, to be operated by 805 Squadron.cite news |first=Tom |last=Allard |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Navy's $100m chopper can't fly in bad light |url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Navys-100m-chopper-cant-fly-in-bad-light/2005/03/18/1111086017635.html |work=The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH.com.au) |publisher=John Fairfax Holdings |date=2005-03-19 |accessdate=2007-02-11] However, as early as 2005 up to 40 deficiencies had been identified in the helicopters, including their inability to operate in bad weather and low light conditions, and their inability to meet Australian airworthiness certification standards. This led to the helicopters being restricted to "passenger and supply transport in good weather", and in May 2006 to the complete grounding of the squadron.cite news |first= |last= |authorlink= |coauthors= |title=Technical problems ground Navy helicopters |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200605/s1638129.htm |work=ABC News Online |publisher= |date=2006-05-19 |accessdate=2007-02-11] The problems were attributed to the fitting of a late 1990s avionics package to a 1960s airframe.

In February 2007, "The Australian" ran an article announcing that the Seasprite project is "almost certain to be scrapped". At this point the project was running six years over schedule, and its cost had blown out to A$1.1 billion, with A$45 million in additional costs if a decision was taken to upgrade the helicopters. If approved, the upgrade would take a further 29 months, with the squadron not reaching full operational status until at least 2010. Scrapping or selling of the helicopters was an option also under consideration, with possible replacements including purchase of the NHIndustries NH90, or expansion of the number of S-70 Seahawks currently in service.

On 25 May 2007 "The Age" reported that the government had decided to persevere with the Seasprite helicopter project. Defence Minister Brendan Nelson announced that the government would take steps to ensure that contractor progress was measured against milestones during the course of additional work. Return of the Seasprites to flying operations would involve a series of controlled steps to assess the safety, performance and reliability of the aircraft. [cite press release | title = Seasprite Helicopters | publisher = Minister for Defence | date = 25 May 2007 | url = http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/NelsonMintpl.cfm?CurrentId=6705 | accessdate = 2007-11-05 ]

Following the election of the new Labor government, "The Australian" reported on 31 January 2008 that the SH-2G(A) program was likely to be cancelled due to cost and time over-runs, as well as the aircraft still not being operational despite the original contract being signed in 1997. The same article also noted that Sikorsky had submitted an offer to the Australian government consisting of a number of 'off the shelf' helicopters, likely a SH-60/S-70B variant, as a replacement for the troubled SH-2G(A)'s. [cite news | last = Dodd | first = Mark | title = Troubled anti-sub choppers face axe | work = The Australian |publisher=News Corporation| date = 31 January 2008 | url = http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23135758-31477,00.html | accessdate = 2008-02-04 ]

Following a review of the project, the Australian Government cancelled the contract for the helicopters on 5 March 2008. [cite press release | title = Seasprite Helicopters top be Cancelled | publisher = Department of Defence | date = 5 March 2008 | url = http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Fitzgibbontpl.cfm?CurrentId=7480 | accessdate = 2008-03-05 ] Kaman Corp confirmed that it had been notified by the Labor Government that it would end the SH-2G(A) program "on mutually agreed terms". [cite press release | title = Australia Government Seeks Discussion With Kaman to Conclude SH-2G(A) Super Seasprite Helicopter Program | publisher = Kaman Corp. | date = 5 March 2008 | url = http://www.sunherald.com/447/story/411736.html | accessdate = 2008-03-05 ] The decision to cancel the purchase was supported by the federal opposition. [cite press release |title=Seasprite cancellation |publisher=Liberal Party of Australia |date=2008-03-05 |url=http://www.liberal.org.au/info/news/detail/20080305_Seaspritecancellation.php |format= |language= |accessdate=2008-03-05 |quote= ] Left without aircraft, 805 Squadron was disbanded on 26 June 2008. [cite press release |title=805 Squadron Decommissions |publisher=The Hon. Greg Combet MP. Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Procurement |date=2008-06-28 |url=http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Combettpl.cfm?CurrentId=7903 |accessdate=2008-06-28 ]

Egypt

In 1995, the Arab Republic of Egypt contracted for 10 SH-2G aircraft in a dipping sonar configuration for the Egyptian Navy. The first deliveries under this program took place in 1997.

New Zealand

New Zealand purchased 5 SH-2G at the same time as Australia, but with different avionics, and the New Zealand aircraft were new-build airframes, not rebuilt American SH-2Fs. The SH-2G purchase was completed NZ$12 million under the $338 million budgeted (excluding GST). The first RNZAF SH-2G was delivered in mid-2001, the last was delivered February 2003.

The Royal New Zealand Navy operates the type from its two Anzac class frigates, two Offshore Patrol Vessels and HMNZS Canterbury Multi Role vessel. They were initially operated by the Naval Support Flight of 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 SH-2F is preserved in the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum.

Poland

The Polish Navy operates 4 of these aircraft, which were included in the purchase of two "Perry" class frigates from the United States Navy, now operating as ORP Generał Tadeusz Kościuszko and ORP Generał Kazimierz Pułaski.

Variants

* YHU2K-1 : Four test and evaluation prototypes.
* HU2K-1 : Utility transport helicopter, powered by a 932-kW (1,250-shp) General Electric T58-GE-8B turboshaft engine. Initial production version. Later redesignated UH-2A in 1962. 84 built.
* UH-2B : Utility transport helicopter. 102 built.
* UH-2C : UH-2A and UH-2B helicopters fitted with two 932-kW (1,250-shp) General Electric T58-GE-8B turboshaft engines. One prototype and 40 conversions.
* NUH-2C : One test and evaluation helicopter. One UH-2C helicopter was equipped to carry and fire, AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-7 Sparrow III air-to-air missiles.
* NUH-2D : Redesignation of the NUH-1C test and evaluation helicopter.
* HH-2C : Search and rescue helicopter, armed with a single Minigun in a chin-mounted turret. Six conversions.
* HH-2D : Search and rescue helicopter, without any armament or armour. Conversions from UH-2A and UH-2Bs.
* SH-2D : Anti-submarine warfare helicopter, 20 conversions from earlier models.
* YSH-2E : Two test and evaluation helicopters, fitted with an advanced radar and LAMPS equipment.
* SH-2F : Anti-submarine warfare helicopter, powered by two 1,350shp (1007-kW) General Electric T58-GE-8F turboshaft engines. Improved version. Conversions from SH-2Ds and earlier models.
* YSH-2G : SH-2G prototype.
* SH-2G Super Seasprite : Anti-submarine warfare helicopter, powered by two 2570-kW (3446-shp) General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines.
* SH-2G(A) : Export version for Australia.
* SH-2(E) : Export version for Egypt.
* SH-2G(M) : Proposed export version for Malaysia.
* SH-2G(NZ) : Export version for New Zealand.

Operators

;AUS
* Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm
**No. 805 Squadron RAN;EGY
* Egyptian Navy;NZL
* Royal New Zealand Air Force [cite web|url=http://www.airforce.mil.nz/about-us/squadrons/6-squadron/default.htm|title=RNZAF - 6 Squadron|publisher=Royal New Zealand Air Force|accessdate=2008-08-25]
**No. 6 Squadron RNZAF;POL
* Polish Navy;USA
* United States Navy

pecifications (SH-2G)

aircraft specifications
plane or copter?= copter
jet or prop?=prop
ref="The International Directiory of Military Aircraft"Frawley, 2002, page 100.]

crew=3 (Pilot, Co-Pilot/Tactical Coordinator (TACCO), Sensor Operator (SENSO))
capacity=
length main=52 ft 9 in
length alt=15.9 m
span main=45 ft 0 in
span alt=13.4 m
height main=15 ft 0 in
height alt=4.5 m
area main=44 ft 4in
area alt=13.5 m
rotor diameter main=
rotor diameter alt=
empty weight main=9,110 lb
empty weight alt=4,130 kg
loaded weight main=13,500 lb
loaded weight alt=6,124 kg
useful load main=4,390 lb
useful load alt=1,991 kg
max takeoff weight main=13,500 lb
max takeoff weight alt=6,120 kg
more general=
engine (prop)= T700-GE-401/401C
type of prop= turboshaft
number of props=2
power main= 1723 shp
power alt= 1285 kW
max speed main=138 knots
max speed alt=256 km/h (159 mph)
cruise speed main=120 knots
cruise speed alt=222 km/h (138 mph)
never exceed speed main=150 knots
never exceed speed alt=278 km/h (173 mph)
range main=540 nm
range alt=1000 km (869 mi)
ceiling main=10,000 ft
ceiling alt=3,000 m
climb rate main=2,070 ft/min
climb rate alt=
max endurance=5.3 hr. at 5,000 ft.
guns=
bombs=
rockets=
missiles= Non-US aircraft carry a variety of guided missiles
* 2 Mk 46 or Mk 50 torpedoes
hardpoints=
hardpoint capacity=

ee also

aircontent
related=
similar aircraft=
* SH-60 Seahawk
sequence=
lists=
* List of military aircraft of the United States
see also=

References

Bibliography

* Andrade, John M. "U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909". Midland Counties Publications, England, 1979, ISBN 0 904597 22 9
* Frawley, Gerard "The International Directiory of Military Aircraft", Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2

External links

* [http://www.kamanaero.com/helicopters/seasprite.html Kaman Aerospace Seasprite page (manufacturer)]
* [http://www.raytrygstad.com/home/navalofficer/sh-2f.html Ray Trygstad: Naval Officer: The SH-2F Seasprite]
* [http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/sea_sprite/ Naval-Technology.com: SH-2G Super Seasprite]
* [http://www.kiwiaircraftimages.com/seasprite.html Kiwi Aircraft
]
* [http://www.seasprite.org/ Seasprite Central]
* [http://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/sh-2.htm "SH-2 Seasprite" by the Federation of American Scientists]