Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk

The Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk entered service in 1984 as a naval derivative of the Army's UH-60 Black Hawk. Engineers redesigned the airframe specifically for shipboard operations, adding folding rotor blades and a hinged tail boom so the helicopter fits inside tight hangar bays. This twin-turboshaft machine serves as the primary platform for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface strikes, and search and rescue missions across the fleet.

Lockheed Martin produces the aircraft through its Sikorsky Aircraft subsidiary based in Stratford, Connecticut. The company has managed the program since its inception, evolving the design from early B and F models into the advanced MH-60R and MH-60S variants. These newer versions feature modern digital sensors and expanded mission capabilities that allow them to operate alongside surface combatants and amphibious ships globally.

Recent operational history highlights the platform's continued relevance despite high costs and safety challenges. In May 2026, an MH-60S crashed in the Arabian Sea during a search operation, leaving one crew member missing. Later that same month, the helicopter played a key role in a strike against six Iranian boats in the Strait of Hormuz. International demand remains strong, with New Zealand approving a $1.5 billion purchase for five units in June 2026 and Denmark receiving approval for a $425 million deal later that year. [edit]