SH-60J/K
Mitsubishi / Sikorsky · United States · first flew 1987 · helicopter
The Mitsubishi H-60 series, comprising the SH-60J and improved SH-60K, are Japanese-built naval helicopters based on Sikorsky's Seahawk.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 19.8 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Naval Seahawk-derived helicopter
- Canted tail rotor and folding tail
- Sonobuoy and torpedo hardpoints
Look for a compact naval helicopter with a four-blade main rotor, a canted tail rotor, a folding tail boom and fuselage-side stations for torpedoes and sonobuoys.
Specifications
- The SH-60J/K has a length of 19.8 m (65 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16.4 m (54 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 270 km/h (168 mph).
- Typical crew: 3.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Mitsubishi began license production of the Seahawk airframe in the 1980s, with the SH-60J entering service around 1991. The enlarged SH-60K, with a stretched cabin and updated sensors, followed in the mid-2000s.
Variants
The SH-60J is the baseline anti-submarine version, while the SH-60K adds a larger cabin, a nose radar, dipping sonar and four-blade improvements. Both share the Seahawk's folding rotor and tail for shipboard use.
Where you'll see it
They serve the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force from destroyers and shore bases; the closely related Merlin and Wildcat fill the Royal Navy's equivalent maritime roles.
Related aircraft
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