Mitsubishi H-60

SH-60J/K Seahawk UH-60J/JA

Picture - A JMSDF SH-60J Seahawk helicopter from JS Haruna (DDH 141) lands onboard USS Russell (DDG 59) in 2007.

Role: ASW/SAR helicopter
National origin: Japan
Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
First flight: 31 August 1987
Introduced: 1991
Status: Active service
Primary user: Japan Self-Defense Force
Number built: 178
Developed from: SH-60 Seahawk UH-60 Black Hawk

The Mitsubishi H-60 series is twin-turboshaft engine helicopter based on the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter family for use by the Japan Self-Defense Force (JSDF). The SH-60J/K are anti-submarine patrol version for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF). The UH-60J is a search and rescue version for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) and JMSDF. The UH-60JA is a utility version for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).

Design and development

SH-60J

The JMSDF chose SH-60B Seahawk as the successor of the Mitsubishi HSS-2A/B Sea King. The Japan Defense Agency acquired a S-70B-2 from Sikorsky for study in 1985. The Defense Agency was going to develop LAMPS Mk III for Japan, but it was declined by the United States, and most avionics sets were developed in the Technical Research and Development Institute. The Defense Agency ordered two XSH-60Js from Sikorsky for $27 million. Their first flights were on 31 August and in October 1987. The Defense Agency designated the model SH-60J. They were fitted with Japanese avionics systems and tested by the JMSDF.

The SH-60J is built in Japan under license from Sikorsky. It began deliveries in August 1991 and entered service thereafter. Based on a concept of the JMSDF, HQS-103 Dipping Sonar, HPS-104 Search Radar, and HLR-108 ESM System equipment of the avionics of SH-60B be different. The engine is the GE/IHI T700-IHI-701C turboshaft, which Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries produced under license. It is a hybrid of SH-60B and SH-60F, except for avionics. The crew includes a pilot, copilot and sensor operator. The copilot can concentrate on the role of Tactical Coordinator with the help of the Automatic Flight Management System and Inertial Navigation system. Over 100 SH-60Js have been produced by 2007.

SH-60K

Picture - Flying JMSDF SH-60K heading to Iruma Air Base.

The SH-60K is an upgraded version of the SH-60J. The SH-60K anti-submarine helicopter which strengthened performance and versatility for the JMSDF. Mitsubishi began development in 1997. The SH-60K has formerly known as SH-60Kai. The Director General of the Defense Agency admitted adoption in March 2005.

Mitsubishi developed new main rotor blade, Ship Landing Assist System, new avionics system, and other systems. Two prototypes SH-60Ks were built by modifying SH-60Js. These prototypes were completed and delivered by June 2002. The SH-60K's cabin was expanded in length by 30 cm (11.8 in) and in height by 15 cm (5.91 in) compared to the SH-60J. The larger cabin allows for the new avionics system. Those and the airframe changes are compensated by the exchange of the T700-IHI-401C2 engine. The first production SH-60K was delivered to JMSDF on 10 August 2005. A total of 50 SH-60Ks are being supplied under new production.

UH-60J

Picture - UH-60J, Training Squadron, Japan Air Self-Defense Force

In 1988, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force choose the UH-60L to replace its KV-107 and Sikorsky S-62 helicopters. The first aircraft was built by Sikorsky, with the company designation S-70A-12, and two more were assembled by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. Mitsubishi is producing the remaining UH-60Js under license. The Japan Marine Self-Defense Force also chose Search and rescue, and utility helicopters to replace the S-61A in 1989.

The UH-60J is powered by T700 engines license-built by Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries in Japan. It features external fuel tanks, an external rescue winch, a Japan-built radar, a FLIR turret in the nose and bubble side windows for observers. The Japan Air Self-Defense Force machines were fitted with T700-IHI-701A engines, while Japan Marine Self-Defense Force machines were fitted with marinized T700-IHI-401C engines. Fuel tanks can be attached to pylons on stub wings. The UH-60Js began deliveries in 1991 and entered service in 1992. A total of 40 UH-60Js were in service in 2010. The JASDF ordered 40 newer UH-60Js in December 2010 to begin replacing older UH-60Js.

Mitsubishi and Sikorsky have teamed in support of the Self Defense Force's mission requirements. The UH-60J+ incorporates various upgrades for the modern SAR mission. By 2006 Defense budget of Japan, UH-60Js begin addition of Refueling probe in 2009. These UH-60Js completed training with the United States Air Force and widened their activity in SAR mission.

UH-60JA

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force ordered utiliy verstion of the UH-60L designated UH-60JA in 1995. The JGSDF began receiving the UH-60JA in 1997. It features improved avionics, including FLIR, Color weather radar, GPS receiver, a Night Vision Goggle compatible cockpit and the wire cutter, as options. The JGSDF plans to acquire 70.

The JGSDF was plan to replace UH-1H helicopter which became obsolete. It was decided to replace them by High-Low mix concept by UH-60JA and UH-1J which updated UH-1H, the UH-60JA being the high and the UH-1J the low.

The JGSDF which took the limit of the budget in 2004 considers Rotorcraft acquisitions of multi-years and re-evaluating the helicopter acquisition of the plan. There is one option under the review. Except UH-1J or UH-60JA, acquire just one utility helicopter type, but was examining in the announcement.

Variants

Picture - A JMSDF SH-60J in Okadama Airport, with a JASDF UH-60J behind it.

S-70B-2: Version purchased from Sikorsky for research by the Defense Agency.　
XSH-60J: Prototype for SH-60J. 2 XSH-60Js were exported by Sikorsky.
SH-60J: Seahawk version for the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force produced by Mitsubishi under licence.
UH-60J: Rescue helicopter license produced by Mitsubishi for the Japan Air Self-Defense Force and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force.
UH-60JA: Utility version for the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force based on the UH-60J.
USH-60K: Among Two prototypes, One was redesignated as evaluation type.
SH-60K: Improved version of SH-60J. Trial manufacture finished in 2001, and deliveries began in August 2005.

Picture - A JMSDF SH-60 parked on the deck of an Asagiri class destroyer DD.158 Umigiri departing from Portsmouth Naval Base, UK, on 28 July 2008.

Operators

Japan

Japan Air Self-Defense Force has 31 UH-60Js in operation as of Nov. 2008.
Akita Air Rescue Wing : UH-60Js Search and rescue wing.
Ashiya Air Rescue Wing
Chitose Air Rescue Wing
Hamamatsu Air Rescue Wing
Hyakuri Air Rescue Wing
Komatsu Air Rescue Wing
Matsushima Air Rescue Wing
Naha Air Rescue Wing
Niigata Air Rescue Wing
Nyutabaru Air Rescue Wing

Japan Ground Self-Defense Force has 27 UH-60J/JAs in use as of Nov. 2008.
1st Combined Brigade
No. 101 Squadron (Camp Naha): UH-60JAs Search and rescue squadron.
1st Helicopter Brigade
No. 102 Squadron (Camp Kisarazu): UH-60JAs Subsidiary Air assault unit.
12th Brigade
No. 12 Helicopter Wing (Camp Kita-Utunomiya)
Western Army Aviation Group
Western Helicopter Wing (Camp Metabaru)
Kasumigaura Aviation School
Educational Support Squadron

Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force has 102 SH-60J/Ks and 19 UH-60Js in service as of Nov. 2008.
No. 21 Squadron (Tateyama Air Base): Fleet Air Force having SH-60J and SH-60K.
No. 22 Squadron (ÅŒmura Air Base): Fleet Air Force.
No. 51 Squadron (Naval Air Facility Atsugi): Operational Evaluation Unit.
No. 72 Squadron (Tateyama Air Base, Ominato Naval Base and Iwojima Air Base): UH-60Js Search and rescue squadron.
No. 73 Squadron (ÅŒmura Air Base, Tokushima Air Base and Kanoya Air Base)

Specifications (SH-60J)

General characteristics

Crew: 3
Length: 19.8 m (64 ft 10 in)
Rotor diameter: 16.4 m (54 ft 6 in)
Height: 5.2 m (16 ft 12 in)
Max takeoff weight: 9,750 kg (21,495 lb)
Powerplant: 2x— Ishikawa-Harima T700-IHI-401C turboshaft, 1,342 kW (1,800 shp) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 264.8 km/h (143 kn, 165 mph)
Range: 584 km (315 nmi, 363 mi)
Service ceiling: 5,790 m (18,996 ft)

Armament

2 x— Mark 46 torpedo
1 x— 7.62 mm (.30 in) Type 74 machine gun

Specifications (UH-60J)

General characteristics

Crew: 5
Length: 19.8 m (64 ft 10 in)
Rotor diameter: 16.4 m (54 ft 6 in)
Height: 5.1 m ()
Max takeoff weight: 9,900 kg (21,830 lb) in marinized 10,000 kg
Powerplant: 2x— Ishikawa-Harima T700-IHI-701A turboshaft, 1,342 kW (1,800 shp) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 265 km/h (143 kn)
Cruise speed: 235 km/h (127 kt)
Range: 1,295 km ()
Service ceiling: 4,000 m (13,500 ft)

Armament

1 x— 12.7 mm M2 Browning machine gun
2 x— 5.56 mm FN Minimi

Related development

Sikorsky S-70
UH-60 Black Hawk
SH-60 Seahawk
HH-60 Pave Hawk
HH-60 Jayhawk
Piasecki X-49
CH-148 Cyclone

Comparable aircraft

Kamov Ka-27
Harbin Z-9

Leoni, Ray D. Black Hawk, The Story of a World Class Helicopter, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2007. ISBN 978-1-56347-918-2.
Bishop, Chris. Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk, Osprey Publishing, 2008. ISBN 978-1-84176-852-6.

Mitsubishi H-60 Pictures

Living Warbirds: The best warbirds DVD series.

Source: WikiPedia