MH-60S Armed Helo

Ordie-
Thanks for the info, much appreciated. I didn't know that type of information was available to the crewmen. No doubt the Sierra will have something similar. I am an engineer at NAVAIR, but that sort of thing is not my technical area. Glad to hear you're going to work on your HH-60H. Post some pics when you can, I'd like to see it!

Phil

Thanks Par,
Thanks to this thread rercently got a second wind on my own HH-60 project. It will be one of my squadron's aircraft at BIAP (Baghdad International Airport). That little panel you refering to is called a CDU (control display unit) the pilot and co-pilot have one also. the one you mentioned is for the crewman, the CDU is a small screen with buttons aroud it. it displays all sorts of info like fuel load/management, heading, and altitude, condition/location of weapons loaded externaly, and other vital info. this way the crewman can help the piolts keep track of thing durring certain situations. the MH-60s should have some if it is going to the fleet. well if you have any more questions feel free.

iyaoyas

Ordie-
Great pictures, thanks. I see what you mean about the apu exhaust. It shouldn't be too much work to fix, though. The interior pictures will certainly be useful. If you don't mind another question, what is the little panel in the cabin under the aft window for?

Thanks again,
Phil

Firehawk Ordie,

Good to go! I was up at LSA Anaconda (I think you know where I'm referring to) this past November and saw a couple of Navy HH-60Hs parked inbetween some Army UH-60s and CH-47s. Was surprised the HCS moved from BIAP.

Semper Fi!

here are some more walk around pics including inside shoots of an HH-60H.

Par your 60 is comming along great. in my picture album there is a shot of the apu exhaust it should be a little more forward and up. i hope these pics are helpful i'll post more ASAP.
IYAOYAS
http://home.ripway.com/2005-1/234750/index.html

Ordie-
For some reason the pictures work fine now. Maybe the problem was on my end. Excellent pictures, by the way, I really appreciate it. Thanks! The more pictures I find, it really is motivating to work on smaller details, and fix accuracy problems with the kit. If you or anyone else has more HH-60H pics they'd like to share I'd like to see them. I will probably post an update on my progress of my model in the group build thread in a couple days, but if you would like to see how it's coming along, you can go look at my album.

http://photobucket.com/albums/v485/par429/HH-60H/



To post a picture in a reply, just enclose the link between [ img] before the link and [ /img] after the link. But without the space after the first square bracket (I can't type it correctly or it will think I am adding a picture!) Or after you hit the post new reply button, in the Format line there is a button which says insert picture which will add the img statements. Just add your link in between the square brackets. Hope this helps.

Thanks again,
Phil

[?

hey Dragonfire and Trojan, I am still with HCS-5 down at North Island. The Hcs det has moved from BIAP. I just spent 2 months supporting HCS-4. they have the DET now and have been very busy. Trojan, the HH-60 has come a long way since the Mugu days. were you a Bluehawk by any chance? i want to build HAL-3 and HAL-5 birds in 1/35.

No I was not with HAL-5, I was selected from VFA-305 when HAL-5 stood down. HCS-5 stood up in Oct of 1987. The first HH-60H was received in I believe in July 1988. Direct from Sikorsky, brand new, in fact it had the new car smell. It immediately broke. And was down for a CDU (what else is new). The good old days training with one helo that was in the hangar for a month before the 2nd one was delivered. I believe the 1st aircraft was Bu #307 then 309 was the 2nd helo.
In regard to images. Most of the guys on this site use a site call Photo Bucket. I myself use Image Event. I post all my images, slides and digital on this site. I have different albums like for instance HCS-5 with all my helo images I have saved over the years while I was with the squadron,Dets, around the hangar images. I have several different albums for the different type of models, Vietnam,Desert Storm etc.. It allows me to copy and paste images to this site when I want to show my work or some images that some of our modelers would be interested in. Sounds complicated, but really isn't but like anything else once you get used to it. Hoping someone else can be more of help than I can provide. I would like to order a replacement ball cap for HCS-5, can you still get them by the way?

Chuck
Fly Navy

how do you guys post actual pictures with your replies?

firehawk ordie

Par that bracket is for the brass chute. sorry you couldn't see the pics is anyone else having problems with the pictures?

hey Dragonfire and Trojan, I am still with HCS-5 down at North Island. The Hcs det has moved from BIAP. I just spent 2 months supporting HCS-4. they have the DET now and have been very busy. Trojan, the HH-60 has come a long way since the Mugu days. were you a Bluehawk by any chance? i want to build HAL-3 and HAL-5 birds in 1/35.

IYAOYAS

Hey Firehawk ordie, I was a member of HCS-5 when we first stood up at Pt Mugu NAS back in 88. The changes the HH-60H has upgraded to since those days are amazing. Here is an image of 301 when we had to do a "D" phase after returning from Saudi Arabia back in April of 91.

One of 4 helo's we shipped for CSAR/SPECWAR ops at Tabuk, AB. We were always hounding the Sikorsky Tech Reps about what we wanted for our helos especially in an hostile environment. The field mods we added while over there were at last granted. Seems like the HCS-4 dudes got all the bullets while HCS-5 did all the work. Oh well.

Chuck
Fly Navy
HCS-5 USNR

... hey, a cool thread on a very cool helo ... and heck ... I'm not what you would call a helo guy ... just got lost here ... and couldn't help but look in.

Shoot ... I just might have to go to the LHS and pick up a kit with one or two of those whirly things on top ...

Ordie-

Thanks for the info. I appreciate that you can't provide operational details, but I was looking for just some basic info on what works with what. I had seen pictures of a loop shaped bracket bolted to the LHEP attach points, but I didn't know it was for the GAU-17. Interesting! I was planning to put some Hellfires on my 60 to better match the attack helo theme, so it looks like I'll just add some 240s to go with them. I really appreciate your help.

Thanks for the pics, but unfortunately I get a "page not found" message when I try to access them. So I guess check the addresses. Let me know if I can help in any way, I look forward to seeing them.

If you are interested in seeing my 60, check the attack helo group build thread occasionally. I plan to post updates with pics every couple weeks. I would appreaciate any comments you have.

Thanks,
Phil

Par429:

Thanks for the good pic. I know the Navy is going through some changes in their HS; HC; and HSL communities with the MH-60R and MH-60S. Just hope that they also upgraded the AAR and ALQ packages with the mods.

Firehawk Ordie:

Welcome home! Are you still down at HCS-5? I remember supporting you guys when you were down in Kuwait and then moved to BIAP during OIF I. Saw some of your flight crew wearing the "Baghdad SWAT" patch on their flight suits when I got back to San Diego.


Semper Fi!

hey PAR,
here are some pics, i hope they work out ok.
firehawk ordie

IYAOYAS!
http://home.ripway.com/2005-1/234750/HH-60gunner.jpg
http://home.ripway.com/2005-1/234750/P1020106.jpg
http://home.ripway.com/2005-1/234750/Picture082.jpg
http://home.ripway.com/2005-1/234750/Picture229.jpg
http://home.ripway.com/2005-1/234750/Picture263.jpg
http://home.ripway.com/2005-1/234750/Picture272.jpg

hey Par429
we would normally have one bird configured for the GAU-17 system, this bird would be used to provide suppression fire or escort other helos such as MH-53s. because the system adds weight to the bird with about 8,000 rounds,ammo cans, gun mounts, and the actual miniguns. it was hardly ever used for logistics. the starboard mount does go across the stabaord door but it has a quick release feature that alows the whole mount to swing out, it also allows for the mount and gun to be stowed in side the helo. A M240 bird would be used for almost any other mission. if you are going to build your 60 with hellfire missiles, you have to use M240s. This is because part of the GAU system bolts to where the extended pylon is located. However on some training flights we sometimes install a Gau-17 on one side and a M240 on the other. I hope this helps sorry i couldn't be more open about specific missions and weapon configurations. I haven't fiured out how to post pics but i will ASAP.

QUOTE: Originally posted by grandadjohn A little off topic, but on New Year's Day during the Rose parade heard a reference to a civilian version of the 60 called the Firehawk. Anybody out there have any details or picture's?

The three ship L.A. Co. Fire fly-by with two of the Firehawks was almost as cool as the mil fly-over. First time I recall them doing that. If they add a new flight each year, pretty soon it will be the Rose Air Show. Which might actually get me out of bed that early. Last summer one of the pilot's told me they really like them and wanted to get a third. But the county said they would have to let go of one of the older Bell's first. I don't know if they did that or not, but apparently they did get a third. And I believe L.A. Co. is still the only agency using them so far. One of them also mentioned they pushed to get them delivered in basic Navy gray, but they didn't go for it. Not sure why they thought that would be better, but it sounded like he thought it was too hard keeping the glossy finish nice.

FYI... I have a walk-around of one on my heli CD.

And Phil... Yeah, if you get a chance, please e-mail me a copy of the big pic at dpdpro@aol.com

I was puzzled at first, because of the use of an S model. But now I remember how the CONOPS reorganization will work. Each group is supposed to have eight 60S's in what they will call an HSC unit.

Dave
-DPD Productions - Helicopter Reference Photo CD-
http://eje.railfan.net/dpdp/

Trigger
Thanks, that's what I thought, but wanted to know for sure.

John -

Check out http://www.sikorsky.com/details/0,,CLI1_DIV69_ETI884,00.html

There are a couple of PDFs you can download from there that are great primers for this version.

A little off topic, but on New Year's Day during the Rose parade heard a reference to a civilian version of the 60 called the Firehawk. Anybody out there have any details or picture's?

Ordie-

You mentioned the HH-60H, I am building one for the Attack Helo Group Build. Is there a typical configuration for crew served guns or does it vary with the mission? M240 or GAU-17? Did you ever use a starboard side weapon or does it block access to the cabin too much? I'd like to build a configuration that would actually be used. Any insight would be appreciated.

Phil

Mac

I think the MH-60L has a color weather radar, similar to the Air Force's HH-60Gs. The MH-60K uses a multi-mode radar (APQ-174B) for terrain following/avoidance, ground mapping and weather detection. I believe the MH-47 uses that same radar as well.

I was just thinking that the weather radar from the OPS boys may be a good starting point for the junk under the Sikorsky trunk on the S. I may be remembering wrong, but I thought the DAPS had weather radar; or is that just on the K?

Mac

Gotta give you props on the CSAR mission, Ordie. I'd love to stand up and say that the UH-1N could handle that, but Marine hueys are hurting these days. They struggle in the hot & heavy environment and just completely lack power. Down in Haiti, the Army's 60's absolutely flew circles around our hueys with power to spare. The UH-1Y modded birds can't get to the fleet quick enough!
Just wanted to rib you squids a little , lol

Come on Snake us squids would never want to muscle in on your territory. However for CSAR/SPECWAR we need a bird like the H-60. last year I was deployed to Iraq (BIAP and Balad) with HCS-5 (a Navy squadron). We opperate HH-60H helos, we have flown SEALS, Army Special Forces, Polish GROM Commandos, and US Marine Special forces. Our birds are armed with Gau-17 miniguns, M240s, and Hellfire missiles. A 60 will never be a tank buster, but if specops guys need a ride or a pilot is down a seahawk is better than a Cobra.

That thing looks pretty mean........but if I may ask.......... why do the little "squiddies" need an attack helo when we have something called MARINE CORPS AVIATION?? They have already begun upgrading cobras to the Zulu standard, which I'm sure could beat the pants off this seahawk. Seems like the naval dept should be concentrating on the H-1 upgrades. I'll admit it's a cool idea....especially a modelling subject......but I guess I'm always game for a little inter-service rivalry.

What's next? Navy amtrac platoons?

Dave-
As far as I know, the Armed Helo is going to be a mission kit, so any Sierra can be changed to the AH configuration as required. Any unit which operates the MH-60S will have some kits. I have a bigger copy of the pic I posted, I can send it to you.

Mac is correct in that the MH-60S is based on the MH-60L airframe, so it should be a straightforward conversion. Cobra Company has detail set for the SH-60B/F which I think includes a rotor head, so that should not be a problem.

And Jon is correct, it is a FLIR turret.

Phil

Mac,

That's a FLIR turret, don't think the Strikehawks are fitted with radar.

This should be a pretty easy conversion from the DAP kit. It already has the wings. The radar would be easy to do as well as the cutouts on the foreward edge of the cargo doors. the MH-60S is basically the same externally as the MH-60L. The only real trouble I see in the conversion would be the folding rotor head.

By the way, the Navy is already using the 240's for the standard crew served weapon. You can use that on the R as well. I would really like to get my hands on the GAU-16 though.

Mac