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SH-2G Super Seasprite
US Navy 080730-N-5384B-013 he Royal New Zealand Navy SH-2G Sea Sprite prepares to land aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)
A Royal New Zealand Navy SH-2G
Role ASW helicopter
Manufacturer Kaman Aircraft Corporation
First flight 2 April 1985
Introduction 1993
Retired USA 2001 Australia 2008
Status In service
Primary users United States Navy (historical)
Egyptian Navy
Royal New Zealand Navy
Polish Navy
Produced 1985–1995
Unit cost
US$26 million (SH-2G)
Developed from Kaman SH-2 Seasprite

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 submarines of all types, surface ships, and patrol craft that may be armed with anti-ship missiles. 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.

Design and development[]

USN SH-2G over water

A US Navy SH-2G in 1995

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.[1]

The G-model has a reinforced upper fuselage to support the new, heavier engines.[1] The SH-2G also has multifunctional displays and new avionic systems.[2] The Navy began receiving Airborne Mine Counter Measures (AMCM) hardware with the Kaman Magic Lantern laser mine detection system in December 1996.[3]

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.[1]

Operational history[]

Australia[]

In the 1990s, the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) decided it needed an intermediate helicopter to operate from the ANZAC class frigates and the planned Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV); a proposed cooperative project with Malaysia, however, due to its size, the OPV could only operate a small helicopter. In 1997, the Australian Government signed a A$667 million contract with Kaman to purchase 11 upgraded Super Seasprites.[4] By 2005, up to 40 deficiencies in the helicopter had been identified, including the inability to operate in bad weather and low-light conditions, and its failure to meet Australian airworthiness standards.[5] The helicopters were initially restricted to transport duties during good weather before being grounded in May 2006.[5][6] By early 2007, 10 Super Seasprites had been delivered to 805 Squadron.[4][5] In February 2007, The Australian announced that the Seasprite project was "almost certain to be scrapped".[4] At this point, the project was six years over schedule and its cost had grown to A$1.1 billion, with an additional A$45 million forecast as required for further upgrades.[4] If approved the squadron still not reach operational status until 2010.[4] The sale or scrapping of the fleet was under consideration, possible replacements included the NHIndustries NH90 or further orders of S-70 Seahawks.[4] On 25 May 2007, The Age reported the government would continue to support the Seasprite; Defence Minister Brendan Nelson commented that progress on the project was being closely monitored.[7]

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 canceled due to cost overruns; additionally it was still not operational despite the original contract being signed in 1997. The same article also noted that Sikorsky had submitted an offer of several 'off the shelf' helicopters to replace Australia's SH-2G(A)s.[8] On 5 March 2008, the project was canceled by the government; Kaman noted the project's end "on mutually agreed terms".[9][10][11] Opposition parties also supported the decision to cancel.[12] The remaining aircraft were returned to Kaman.[13]

New Zealand[]

NZ Seasprite 2008

A Royal New Zealand Navy SH-2G takes off from the flight deck of the HMNZS Te-Mana.

The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) replaced its Westland Wasps with two interim SH-2F Seasprites (ex-US Navy), to operate with ANZAC class frigates until the fleet of five new SH-2G Super Seasprites were delivered. The Navy air element was transferred to No. 6 Squadron RNZAF at RNZAF Base Auckland in Whenuapai in October 2005. RNZN Seasprites have seen service in East Timor.

OH 09-0252-015 - Flickr - NZ Defence Force (5)

Royal New Zealand Navy SH-2G.

New Zealand purchased five SH-2Gs at the same time as Australia. However, New Zealand opted for new-build airframes that were outfitted with different avionics. 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 frigates, two Protector class 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 from No. 6 Squadron RNZAF.

In May 2012, Defence Minister Jonathan Coleman announced that Cabinet had given Defence officials approval to negotiate with Kaman Corporation for the 11 helicopters and flight simulator from the cancelled Australian SH-2G Super Seasprite project. It is thought the 11 helicopters, worth NZ$1.4 billion in 2008, would cost New Zealand between NZ$130 million to NZ$230 million.[14] A decision to purchase ten of the helicopters for $NZ242 million was announced on 19 April 2013.[15] Eight of the aircraft will enter service with the RNZAF to replace the existing five Seasprites, and the remaining two will be used as a source of spare parts. The first helicopters will be delivered to the RNZAF in late 2014, and all the aircraft are scheduled to be in service by 2016.[16]

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.[3] 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.[3][17]

Others[]

Smiglowce Marynarki Wojennej

Polish Navy helicopters; from the left: Mi-14PL, SH-2G Super Seasprite, PZL W-3RM Anakonda, Mi-14PS

In 1995, Egypt signed a contract for 10 SH-2Gs for use by the Egyptian Navy. These helicopters had been equipped for anti-submarine duties and to be deployed on the Navy's ships as required; the procurement included dipping sonars, search radars, and an electronic support suite. They are often operated alongside Egypt's fleet of Westland Sea Kings.[18]

The Polish Navy 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.[19]

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 Australia, upgraded former US Navy SH-2F.
SH-2G(E)
Export version for Egypt, upgraded former US Navy SH-2F.
SH-2G(M)
Proposed export version for Malaysia.
SH-2G(NZ)
Export version for New Zealand.
SH-2G(I)
Redesignated SH-2G(A) sold to New Zealand.[20][21]

Operators[]

Current operators[]

Kaman Seasprite

A Polish SH-2G

Flag of Egypt Egypt
Flag of New Zealand New Zealand
Flag of Poland Poland

Former operators[]

Flag of Australia Australia
United States

Aircraft on display[]

  • SH-2G, bureau number 162576 is currently on display at the Wings of Freedom Museum, NASJRB Willow Grove, Pa.[24]

Specifications (SH-2G)[]

Data from The International Directory of Military Aircraft[2]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 3 (pilot, co-pilot/tacticalcoordinator (TACCO), sensor operator (SENSO))
  • Length: 52 ft 9 in (15.9 m)
  • Rotor diameter: 45 ft 0 in (13.4 m)
  • Height: 15 ft 0 in (4.5 m)
  • Disc area: 44 ft 4 in (13.5 m)
  • Empty weight: 9,200 lb (4,170 kg)
  • Useful load: 4,390 lb (1,991 kg)
  • Max. takeoff weight: 13,500 lb (6,120 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × T700-GE-401/401C turboshaft, 1,723 shp (1,285 kW) each
  • Rotor systems: 4 blades on main rotor and tail rotor

Performance

  • Never exceed speed: 150 knots (278 km/h, 173 mph)
  • Maximum speed: 138 knots (256 km/h, 159 mph)
  • Cruise speed: 120 knots (222 km/h, 138 mph)
  • Range: 540 nmi (1,000 km, 869 mi)
  • Service ceiling: 18,000 ft (3,000 m)
  • Rate of climb: 2,500 ft/min (12.7 m/s)

Armament

See also[]

References[]

Notes
  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Eden 2004, p. 219.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Frawley 2002, p. 100.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Jane's Aircraft Upgrades. Jane's Information Group, 2009. (subscription article) posted 20 March 2009.
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Walters, Patrick (2007-02-10). "Seasprite headed for the junk pile". The Australian. News Corporation. pp. 1–2. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21201454-601,00.html. Retrieved 2007-02-11. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Allard, Tom (2005-03-19). "Navy's $100m chopper can't fly in bad light". The Sydney Morning Herald (SMH.com.au). John Fairfax Holdings. http://www.smh.com.au/news/National/Navys-100m-chopper-cant-fly-in-bad-light/2005/03/18/1111086017635.html. Retrieved 2007-02-11. 
  6. 6.0 6.1 "Technical problems ground Navy helicopters". ABC News Online. 2006-05-19. Archived from the original on 2006-11-15. http://web.archive.org/web/20061115164935/http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200605/s1638129.htm. Retrieved 2007-02-11. 
  7. "Seasprite Helicopters". Minister for Defence. 25 May 2007. http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/NelsonMintpl.cfm?CurrentId=6705. Retrieved 2007-11-05. 
  8. Dodd, Mark (31 January 2008). "Troubled anti-sub choppers face axe". The Australian. News Corporation. http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23135758-31477,00.html. Retrieved 2008-02-04. 
  9. "Seasprite Helicopters top be Cancelled". Department of Defence. 5 March 2008. http://www.minister.defence.gov.au/Fitzgibbontpl.cfm?CurrentId=7480. Retrieved 2008-03-05. 
  10. "Australia Government Seeks Discussion With Kaman to Conclude SH-2G(A) Super Seasprite Helicopter Program". Kaman Corp. 5 March 2008. http://www.sunherald.com/447/story/411736.html. 
  11. "Australia Scraps Super Seasprite Program". Rotor & Wing, 5 March 2008.
  12. "Seasprite cancellation". Liberal Party of Australia. 2008-03-05. http://www.liberal.org.au/info/news/detail/20080305_Seaspritecancellation.php. 
  13. "Kaman Takes SH-2G to Eastern Europe". Rotor & Wing, 4 September 2008.
  14. Stuart, Ian (14 May 2012). "Reject Aussie choppers on Navy shopping list". The New Zealand Herald. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm?c_id=1&objectid=10805700. 
  15. "NZ to buy navy helicopters rejected by Australia". 19 April 2013. http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/national/133169/nz-to-buy-navy-helicopters-rejected-by-australia. Retrieved 20 April 2013. 
  16. "Seasprite helicopter project approved". Media release. beehive.govt.nz. http://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/seasprite-helicopter-project-approved. Retrieved 20 April 2013. 
  17. Stephens, Ernie. "Putting the "Super" in the Kaman Super Seasprite". Rotor & Wing, 1 October 2009.
  18. Cordesman 2006, p. 184.
  19. Łukasz Pacholski, Modernizacja polskich Kamanów in: Nowa Technika Wojskowa nr 6/2009, p.84-87 (Polish)
  20. "Kaman Helicopters to Showcase SH-2G(I) Super Seasprite at Black Sea Defense & Aerospace Exposition". Kaman Aerospace, September 3, 2008.
  21. New Zealand to obtain eight SH-2G (I) Super Seasprites. flightglobal
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 "World Air Forces 2013". Flightglobal Insight. http://search.yahoo.com/r/_ylt=A0oGdV94VQBRNhwARipXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTE1dmxiY2luBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA3NrMQR2dGlkA1ZJUDAyNl8xMDc-/SIG=13iba327p/EXP=1359005176/**http%3a//www.flightglobal.com/airspace/media/reports_pdf/emptys/101015/world-air-forces-2013.pdf. Retrieved 2013-23-01. 
  23. "US Navy SH-2 Seasprite". globalsecurity.org. http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/aircraft/sh-2.htm. Retrieved 26-January-2013. 
  24. "Kaman SH-2G "Sea Sprite"". Wings of Freedom Museum. http://wingsoffreedommuseum.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=77&Itemid=77. Retrieved 2011-05-17. 
Bibliography
  • Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications, England, 1979. ISBN 0-904597-22-9.
  • Eden, Paul. "Kaman SH-2 Seasprite", Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft. Amber Books, 2004. ISBN 1-904687-84-9.
  • Frawley, Gerard The International Directiory of Military Aircraft, Aerospace Publications Pty Ltd, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.

External links[]

All or a portion of this article consists of text from Wikipedia, and is therefore Creative Commons Licensed under GFDL.
The original article can be found at Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite and the edit history here.
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