SH-2G Super Seasprite
Encyclopedia
The Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite is a 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 submarine
s of all types, surface ship
s, and patrol craft that may be armed with anti-ship missile
s. It was originally developed for the United States Navy
in 1980s.
The SH-2G'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, personnel and cargo transfer, as well as small boat interdiction, amphibious assault air support, gun fire spotting, mine detection and battle damage assessment.
In 1985 the SH-2G program was started. The US Navy wanted better anti-submarine capabilities and felt upgrading current helicopters would be a more cost effective approach. The prototype YSH-2G first flew on 2 April 1985. The prototype was a modified SH-2F
fitted with two more powerful General Electric T700-GE-401/401C engines.
The G-model has a reinforced upper fuselage to support the new, heavier engines. The SH-2G also has multifunctional displays and new avionic systems. The Navy began receiving Airborne Mine Counter Measures (AMCM) hardware with the Kaman Magic Lantern laser mine detection system in December 1996.
The US Navy's final production order of the SH-2F was in Fiscal Year 1986 with the last six orders switched to the SH-2G variant.
The SH-2G Super Seasprite was retired by the US Navy Reserve in 2001 but currently remains in active service with the Egyptian Navy, the Polish Navy
, and the Royal New Zealand Navy
.
(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. 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. The RAN began operating SH-2G(A) Super Seasprites in 2003.
By February 2007, 10 Super Seasprites had been delivered to the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Air Arm
, to be operated by 805 Squadron
. 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. 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 Seahawk
s 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.
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.
Following a review of the project, the Australian Government cancelled the contract for the helicopters on 5 March 2008. 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". The decision to cancel the purchase was supported by the federal opposition. Left without aircraft, 805 Squadron was disbanded on 26 June 2008. Australia returned its SH-2G(A)s to Kaman.
In June, the entrepreneur Dick Smith
offered a $50,000 award for investigative journalism
to examine the cancelled contract, on issues of accountability and related Government policies, without result.
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. One aircraft was lost at sea in 2006.
New Zealand
purchased five SH-2Gs at the same time as Australia, but with different avionics. The New Zealand
aircraft were new-build airframes. The SH-2G purchase was completed at NZ$12 million under the $338 million budgeted (excluding GST). The first RNZN SH-2G was delivered in mid-2001, and the last was delivered February 2003.
The Royal New Zealand Navy
(RNZN) operates the type from its two Anzac class frigate
s, two Protector class offshore patrol vessels, and Multi Role vessel. They were initially operated by the Naval Support Flight of No. 3 Squadron RNZAF
, but now from No. 6 Squadron RNZAF
. However, the Seasprites are crewed by a Navy Pilot, TACCO
and a Helicopter Crewman.
operates four of these aircraft, which were included in the purchase of two Perry class frigates
from the United States Navy. The frigates are now operating as ORP Generał Tadeusz Kościuszko and ORP Generał Kazimierz Pułaski. In 2007 they were modified to carry one MU90 Impact
torpedo and a 7.62 mm PK machine gun
on pivot mounting.
SH-2G Super Seasprite
SH-2G(A)
SH-2(E)
SH-2G(M)
SH-2G(NZ)
SH-2G(I)
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
with anti-submarine
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
, anti-surface threat
Anti-Surface Warfare
Anti-surface warfare is a type of naval warfare directed against surface combatants. More generally, it is any weapons, sensors, or operations intended to attack or limit the effectiveness of an adversary's surface ships....
capability, including over-the-horizon targeting. This aircraft extends and increases shipboard sensor and weapon capabilities against several types of enemy threats, including submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
s of all types, surface ship
Surface ship
A surface ship is any type of naval ship that is confined to the surface of the sea. The term is primarily used to mean any modern vessel type that is not a submarine; although a "surface ship" may range in size from a cutter to an aircraft carrier, the weapons and tactics have some commonality,...
s, and patrol craft that may be armed with anti-ship missile
Anti-ship missile
Anti-ship missiles are guided missiles that are designed for use against ships and large boats. Most anti-ship missiles are of the sea-skimming type, many use a combination of inertial guidance and radar homing...
s. It was originally developed for the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
in 1980s.
The SH-2G'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, personnel 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
SH-2 Seasprite
The Kaman SH-2 Seasprite is a 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,...
fitted with two more powerful General Electric T700-GE-401/401C engines.
The G-model has a reinforced upper fuselage to support the new, heavier engines. The SH-2G also has multifunctional displays and new avionic systems. The Navy began receiving Airborne Mine Counter Measures (AMCM) hardware with the Kaman Magic Lantern laser mine detection system in December 1996.
The US Navy's final production order of the SH-2F was in Fiscal Year 1986 with the last six orders switched to the SH-2G variant.
Operational history
Polish Navy
The Marynarka Wojenna Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej - MW RP Polish Navy, is the branch of Republic of Poland Armed Forces responsible for naval operations...
, and the Royal New Zealand Navy
Royal New Zealand Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
.
Australia
In the late 1980s and early 1990s the Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian Navy
The Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
(RAN) decided it needed an intermediate helicopter to operate from both ANZAC class
Anzac class frigate
The Anzac class is a ship class of ten frigates; eight operated by the Royal Australian Navy and two operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy...
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
Government of Australia
The Commonwealth of Australia is a federal constitutional monarchy under a parliamentary democracy. The Commonwealth of Australia was formed in 1901 as a result of an agreement among six self-governing British colonies, which became the six states...
signed a A$
Australian dollar
The Australian dollar is the currency of the Commonwealth of Australia, including Christmas Island, Cocos Islands, and Norfolk Island, as well as the independent Pacific Island states of Kiribati, Nauru and Tuvalu...
667 million contract with Kaman to purchase 11 upgraded Super Seasprites. 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. The RAN began operating SH-2G(A) Super Seasprites in 2003.
By February 2007, 10 Super Seasprites had been delivered to the Royal Australian Navy's Fleet Air Arm
Fleet Air Arm (RAN)
The Fleet Air Arm , known formally as the Australian Navy Aviation Group, is the division of the Royal Australian Navy responsible for the operation of aircraft. The FAA was founded in 1947 following the purchase of two aircraft carriers from the Royal Navy...
, to be operated by 805 Squadron
805 Squadron RAN
805 Squadron was a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron, which previously operated as 805 Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm....
. 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. The problems were attributed to the fitting of a late 1990s avionics package to a 1960s airframe.
In February 2007, The Australian
The Australian
The Australian is a broadsheet newspaper published in Australia from Monday to Saturday each week since 14 July 1964. The editor in chief is Chris Mitchell, the editor is Clive Mathieson and the 'editor-at-large' is Paul Kelly....
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
NHI NH90
The NHIndustries NH90 is a medium sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter manufactured by NHIndustries. The first prototype had its maiden flight in December 1995...
, or expansion of the number of S-70 Seahawk
Sikorsky S-70
The Sikorsky S-70 is a medium transport/utility helicopter family manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. It was developed for the U.S. Army in the 1970s, winning a competition to be designated the UH-60 Blackhawk and spawning a large family in U.S. military service...
s currently in service.
On 25 May 2007 The Age
The Age
The Age is a daily broadsheet newspaper, which has been published in Melbourne, Australia since 1854. Owned and published by Fairfax Media, The Age primarily serves Victoria, but is also available for purchase in Tasmania, the Australian Capital Territory and border regions of South Australia and...
reported that the government had decided to persevere with the Seasprite helicopter project. Defence Minister
Minister for Defence (Australia)
The Minister for Defence of Australia administers his portfolio through the Australian Defence Organisation, which comprises the Department of Defence and the Australian Defence Force. Stephen Smith is the current Minister.-Ministers for Defence:...
Brendan Nelson
Brendan Nelson
Dr Brendan John Nelson is a former Australian politician and former federal Opposition leader. He served as a member of the Australian House of Representatives from the 1996 federal election until 19 October 2009 as the Liberal member for Bradfield, a northern Sydney seat...
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.
Following the election of the new Labor
Australian Labor Party
The Australian Labor Party is an Australian political party. It has been the governing party of the Commonwealth of Australia since the 2007 federal election. Julia Gillard is the party's federal parliamentary leader and Prime Minister of Australia...
government, The Australian
The Australian
The Australian is a broadsheet newspaper published in Australia from Monday to Saturday each week since 14 July 1964. The editor in chief is Chris Mitchell, the editor is Clive Mathieson and the 'editor-at-large' is Paul Kelly....
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
Sikorsky Aircraft
The Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation is an American aircraft manufacturer based in Stratford, Connecticut. Its parent company is United Technologies Corporation.-History:...
had submitted an offer to the Australian government consisting of a number of 'off the shelf' helicopters, likely a SH-60/S-70B
Sikorsky S-70
The Sikorsky S-70 is a medium transport/utility helicopter family manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. It was developed for the U.S. Army in the 1970s, winning a competition to be designated the UH-60 Blackhawk and spawning a large family in U.S. military service...
variant, as a replacement for the troubled SH-2G(A)s.
Following a review of the project, the Australian Government cancelled the contract for the helicopters on 5 March 2008. 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". The decision to cancel the purchase was supported by the federal opposition. Left without aircraft, 805 Squadron was disbanded on 26 June 2008. Australia returned its SH-2G(A)s to Kaman.
In June, the entrepreneur Dick Smith
Dick Smith
Dick Smith may refer to:*Dick Smith , Australian entrepreneur**Dick Smith , electrical retailer in Australia.**Dick Smith Foods, food brand in Australia*Dick Smith , former player with Manchester United...
offered a $50,000 award for investigative journalism
Investigative journalism
Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, often involving crime, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years researching and preparing a report. Investigative journalism...
to examine the cancelled contract, on issues of accountability and related Government policies, without result.
Egypt
In 1995, EgyptEgypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
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. One aircraft was lost at sea in 2006.
New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
purchased five SH-2Gs at the same time as Australia, but with different avionics. The New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
aircraft were new-build airframes. The SH-2G purchase was completed at NZ$12 million under the $338 million budgeted (excluding GST). The first RNZN SH-2G was delivered in mid-2001, and the last was delivered February 2003.
The Royal New Zealand Navy
Royal New Zealand Navy
The Royal New Zealand Navy is the maritime arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
(RNZN) operates the type from its two Anzac class frigate
Anzac class frigate
The Anzac class is a ship class of ten frigates; eight operated by the Royal Australian Navy and two operated by the Royal New Zealand Navy...
s, two Protector class offshore patrol vessels, and Multi Role vessel. They were initially operated by the Naval Support Flight of No. 3 Squadron RNZAF
No. 3 Squadron RNZAF
3 Squadron is a unit of the RNZAF. It remains on active duty.-History:No. 3 Squadron RNZAF formed as a Territorial unit of the New Zealand Permanent Air Force based at Christchurch in 1930....
, but now from No. 6 Squadron RNZAF
No. 6 Squadron RNZAF
No. 6 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force is the squadron operating New Zealand's navy's air arm. While historically having been disbanded several times through changes in the country's military structure, it has a history going back to before World War II, when it operated flying boats. The...
. However, the Seasprites are crewed by a Navy Pilot, TACCO
Tacco
A TACCO is the aircrew member responsible for coordinating the activities of the part of the crew responsible for the tactical operation of the aircraft and its systems. The TACCO may, depending on the country, be the Mission Commander of the crew.Typically, TACCOs run the missions in P-3 Orion...
and a Helicopter Crewman.
Poland
The Polish NavyPolish Navy
The Marynarka Wojenna Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej - MW RP Polish Navy, is the branch of Republic of Poland Armed Forces responsible for naval operations...
operates four of these aircraft, which were included in the purchase of two Perry class frigates
Oliver Hazard Perry class frigate
The Oliver Hazard Perry class is a class of frigates named after the American Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, the hero of the naval Battle of Lake Erie...
from the United States Navy. The frigates are now operating as ORP Generał Tadeusz Kościuszko and ORP Generał Kazimierz Pułaski. In 2007 they were modified to carry one MU90 Impact
MU90 Impact
The MU90/IMPACT is an advanced lightweight anti-submarine torpedo used by navies of Germany, France, Italy, Denmark, Australia and Poland. It is designed to compete with and outperform the US-built Mark 46 in the anti-submarine role, and is also available in a special MU90 Hard Kill version for...
torpedo and a 7.62 mm PK machine gun
PK machine gun
The PK is a 7.62 mm general-purpose machine gun designed in the Soviet Union and currently in production in Russia. The PK machine gun was introduced in the 1960s and replaced the SGM and RPD machine guns in Soviet service...
on pivot mounting.
United States
Beginning in 1991, the US Navy received 24 SH-2Gs, which were assigned to US Navy Reserve units. The Super Seasprite entered service with HSL-84 in 1993. The SH-2 served in some 600 Navy deployments and flew 1.5 million flight hours. The Navy Reserve retired the last of the helicopter by June 2001.Variants
YSH-2G- SH-2G prototype.
SH-2G Super Seasprite
- Anti-submarine warfare helicopter, powered by two 1,723-shp (1,285-kW) General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines.
SH-2G(A)
- Export version for AustraliaAustraliaAustralia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
.
SH-2(E)
- Export version for EgyptEgyptEgypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
.
SH-2G(M)
- Proposed export version for Malaysia.
SH-2G(NZ)
- Export version for New ZealandNew ZealandNew Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
.
SH-2G(I)
- Redesignated SH-2G(A) offered to the other International customers.
Current operators
- Egyptian Navy has 12 SH-2G(E)s (first delivered 1997) in use as of January 2010.
- Operated by the Egyptian Air ForceEgyptian Air ForceThe Egyptian Air Force, or EAF , is the aviation branch of the Egyptian Armed Forces. The EAF is headed by an Air Marshal . Currently, the commander of the Egyptian Air Force is Air Marshal Reda Mahmoud Hafez Mohamed...
's 545th Tactical Helicopter Wing (37th Squardron)
- Operated by the Egyptian Air Force
- Royal New Zealand Air ForceRoyal New Zealand Air ForceThe Royal New Zealand Air Force is the air arm of the New Zealand Defence Force...
(2003–present) has 5 SH-2Gs in operation.- No. 6 Squadron RNZAFNo. 6 Squadron RNZAFNo. 6 Squadron Royal New Zealand Air Force is the squadron operating New Zealand's navy's air arm. While historically having been disbanded several times through changes in the country's military structure, it has a history going back to before World War II, when it operated flying boats. The...
- No. 6 Squadron RNZAF
- Polish NavyPolish NavyThe Marynarka Wojenna Rzeczypospolitej Polskiej - MW RP Polish Navy, is the branch of Republic of Poland Armed Forces responsible for naval operations...
has 4 SH-2Gs in service.- 28 Air Escadrille in GdyniaGdyniaGdynia is a city in the Pomeranian Voivodeship of Poland and an important seaport of Gdańsk Bay on the south coast of the Baltic Sea.Located in Kashubia in Eastern Pomerania, Gdynia is part of a conurbation with the spa town of Sopot, the city of Gdańsk and suburban communities, which together...
- 28 Air Escadrille in Gdynia
Former operators
- Royal Australian NavyRoyal Australian NavyThe Royal Australian Navy is the naval branch of the Australian Defence Force. Following the Federation of Australia in 1901, the ships and resources of the separate colonial navies were integrated into a national force: the Commonwealth Naval Forces...
Fleet Air ArmFleet Air Arm (RAN)The Fleet Air Arm , known formally as the Australian Navy Aviation Group, is the division of the Royal Australian Navy responsible for the operation of aircraft. The FAA was founded in 1947 following the purchase of two aircraft carriers from the Royal Navy...
(entered service in 2006 but were soon retired in 2008 due to operational concerns)- No. 805 Squadron RAN805 Squadron RAN805 Squadron was a Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm squadron, which previously operated as 805 Naval Air Squadron of the Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm....
- No. 805 Squadron RAN
- United States NavyUnited States NavyThe United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
(entered service 1991 and retired in 2001)
Aircraft on display
- SH-2G, bureau number 162576 is currently on display at the Wings of Freedom Museum, NASJRB Willow Grove, Pa.