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Saudi Arabia / Royal Saudi Naval Forces Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk |
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The Sikorsky SH-60/MH-60 Seahawk is a twin turboshaft engine,
multi-mission helicopter based on the United States Army UH-60 Black
Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The US Navy uses the H-60 airframe under the model designations SH-60B, SH-60F, HH-60H, MH-60R, and MH-60S. Able to deploy aboard any air-capable ship, the Seahawk can handle anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), naval special warfare (NSW) insertion, search and rescue (SAR), combat search and rescue (CSAR), vertical replenishment (VERTREP), and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC). The MH-60R was originally known as "LAMPS Mark III Block II Upgrade" when development began in 1993 with Lockheed Martin (formerly IBM/Loral). Two SH-60Bs were converted by Sikorsky, the first of which made its maiden flight on 22 December 1999. Designated YSH-60R, they were delivered to NAS Patuxent River in 2001 for flight testing. The production variant was redesignated MH-60R to match its multi-mission capability. The MH-60R was formally deployed by the US Navy in 2006. The MH-60R is designed to combine the features of the SH-60B and SH-60F. Its avionics includes dual controls and instead of the complex array of dials and gauges in Bravo and Foxtrot aircraft, 4 fully integrated 8" x 10" night vision goggle-compatible and sunlight-readable color multi-function displays, all part of glass cockpit produced by Owego Helo Systems division of Lockheed Martin. Onboard sensors include: AAR-47 Missile Approach Warning System by ATK,Raytheon AAS-44 electro-optical system that integrates FLIR and laser rangefinder, ALE-39 decoy dispenser and ALQ-144 infrared jammer by BAE Systems, ALQ-210 electronic support measures system by Lockheed Martin, APS-147 multi-mode radar/IFF interrogator, which during a mid-life technology insertion project is subsequently replaced by APS-153 Multi-Mode Radar with Automatic Radar Periscope Detection and Discrimination (ARPDD) capability, and both radars were developed by Telephonics, a more advanced AN/AQS-22 advanced airborne low-frequency sonar (ALFS) jointly developed by Raytheon & Thales, ARC-210 voice radio by Rockwell Collins, an advanced airborne fleet data link SRQ-4 Hawklink with radio terminal set ARQ-59 radio terminal, both by L3Harris, and LN-100G dual-embedded global positioning system and inertial navigation system by Northrop Grumman Litton division. Beginning in 2020, CAE's MAD-XR has been fielded on MH-60Rs, providing it with a magnetic anomaly detector. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's acquisition of 10 MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission helicopters for the Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) was approved through a $1.9 billion Foreign Military Sale (FMS) coordinated with the U.S. government. Characteristics: Length: 64.83 ft (19.76 m) / Folded: 41.05 ft (12.51 m) Width: 53.66 ft (16.35 m) / Folded: 11.00 ft (3.35 m) Height: 16.70 fr (5.10 m) / Folded: 12.92 ft (3.94 m) Main rotor diameter: 53.66 ft (16.35 m) Main rotor area: 2,262.3 sq ft (210.17 m2) Tail rotor diameter: 11.00 ft (3.35 m) Mission gross weight (SUW): 21,290 lb (9,657 kg) Maximum takeoff gross weight: 23,500 lb (10,682 kg) Powerplant: 2 x General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines, 1,890 shp (1,410 kW) each Mission endurance (SUW): 3.30 hours Maximal cruise speed: 140 kn (260 km/h) Service ceiling: 19,000 ft (5,800 m) Rate of climb: 1,650 ft/min (8.4 m/s) Armament: up to two torpedoes up to four AGM-114 Hellfire missiles Machine gun sources: wikipedia / Lockheed Martin / US DoD - - - - - US DoD press release - Washington, May 20, 2015 Kingdom of Saudi Arabia - MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters: The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopters and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.9 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Saudi Arabia has requested a sale of ten (10) MH-60R multi-mission helicopters fourteen (14) APS-153(V) Multi-Mode radars (10 installed, 2 spares and 2 for testing); twenty-four T-700 GE 401 C engines (20 installed and 4 spares); twelve (12) APX-123 Identification Friend or Foe transponders (10 installed and 2 spares); fourteen (14) AN/AAS-44C(V) Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems Forward Looking Infrared Radars (10 installed, 2 spares, and 2 for testing); twenty-six (26) Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems with Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module (20 installed and 6 spares); and Link-16 capability; one-thousand (1,000) AN/SSQ-36/53/62 Sonobuoys; thirty-eight (38) AGM-114R Hellfire II missiles; five (5) AGM-114 M36-E9 Captive Air Training missiles; four (4) AGM-114Q Hellfire Training Missiles; three-hundred eighty (380) Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System rockets; twelve (12) M-240D crew served weapons; and twelve (12) GAU-21 crew served weapons. Also included are spare engine containers; facilities study and design; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; communication equipment; aerial refueling services; ferry support; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistical and program support. The estimated cost is $1.9 billion. This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic regional partner, which has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East. The proposed sale will improve Saudi Arabia’s capability to meet current and future threats from enemy weapon systems. The MH-60R Multi-Mission Helicopter will provide the capability to identify, engage, and defeat maritime security threats along with the ability to perform secondary missions including vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and communications relay. Saudi Arabia will use the enhanced capability as a deterrent to regional threats and to strengthen its homeland defense. The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region. The principal contractors will be Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in Stratford, Connecticut; and Lockheed Martin Corporation in Owego, New York. There are no known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale. - - - - - US DoD press release - July 15, 2026 Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Aviation, PAE(A), Patuxent River, Maryland: The Royal Saudi Naval Forces (RSNF) has surpassed 10,000 flight hours in their fleet of U.S. Navy MH-60R Seahawk helicopters, a significant achievement highlighting a successful international defense collaboration. The milestone demonstrates the RSNF’s growing operational capability and the strength of its strategic partnership with the U.S. Navy. Training and skill development were integral to the program's success accumulating more than 4,300 flight hours and 3,200 simulator hours during comprehensive training with U.S. Navy instructors at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. "This achievement is a testament to the dedication of the Royal Saudi Naval Forces and the power of our combined efforts," said Joshua Deuley, H-60 Multi-Mission Helicopter program (PMA-299) RSNF case manager. "Through meticulous joint training, we have built a robust capability that enhances regional maritime security. We are incredibly proud of what our Saudi partners have accomplished." The RSNF foreign military sales (FMS) program, which began in July 2015, included the delivery of 10 MH-60R helicopters and extensive training for pilots, sensor operators, and maintenance crews. The first five aircraft were delivered to Jubail, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in February 2020, with the final five arriving in December 2022. Since then, the RSNF has flown more than 5,600 operational hours in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, conducting missions and contributing to maritime operations. “From the initial FMS case signing to the completion of 10,000 flight hours in June 2026, the program has successfully equipped RSNF with advanced capabilities and trained personnel to enhance its operational readiness,” Deuley said. RSNF is the second FMS partner to reach the 10,000 flight-hour milestone in the MH-60R, underscoring the effectiveness of the training and support framework established between the two navies, strengthening defense capabilities. |
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    firing an AGM-114 Hellfire missile |
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seaforces.org
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Royal
Saudi Naval Forces start page
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