Navy MH-60R ‘Romeo’ crashed within the waters off the coast of Coronado

On Thursday night, off the coast of Coronado in San Diego Bay, an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter, also referred to as ‘Romeo’, belonging to the US Navy crashed into the water, as per obtainable stories. Navy Cmdr. Beth Educate indicated that the helicopter, a a part of the Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron, had an sudden encounter with water whereas amid a coaching session round 6:40 p.m. 

Picture by Christopher Lindahl

Help got here swiftly, as a rescue boat was dispatched to the situation of the incident. In a mixed effort with the San Diego Federal Hearth Division, all six crew members have been efficiently evacuated from the water and transported to shore. Cmdr. Educate additional relayed that the crew members survived the untoward occasion and are presently present process medical overview. 

The Sea Hawk helicopter had its station on the North Island Air Drive Base. In response to the emergency, a helicopter from the U.S. Coast Guard was additionally deployed to supply help on the scene, as disclosed by Coast Guard Petty Officer Adam Stanton.

About Lockheed Martin’s large

Constructed by Lockheed Martin, a main determine within the US aerospace trade, the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter stands as a versatile, all-weather utility plane for the Navy. Its design takes direct affect from the Army’s UH-60 BlackHawk helicopter. 

This multi-functional machine meets numerous employment wants akin to anti-submarine warfare [ASW], anti-surface warfare [ASUW], naval particular warfare [NSW], and insertion. It’s extremely helpful for search and rescue [SAR] missions, fight search and rescue [CSAR], vertical replenishment operations [VERTREP], and medical evacuation [MEDEVAC]. 

US Navy offers new MH-60S's maritime strike capability with FVL
Picture by Kurt Lengfield

The MH-60R Seahawk helicopter units the usual for superior maritime helicopters throughout the globe. Compatibility with numerous ships – from quick battleships, plane carriers, and destroyers to cruisers, amphibious assault ships, and the Navy’s modern littoral fight ships – permits its deployment anyplace. 

Additional, the Seahawk’s fight readiness has been amplified with the mixing of the brand new Mk-54 air-launched torpedoes and Hellfire missiles. As a outcome, all Helicopter Mild Anti-Submarine Squadrons [HSLs] that obtain the ‘Romeo’ might be subsequently recognized as Helicopter, Marine Strike Squadrons [HSMs].

Different MH-60 Sea Hawk incidents

Regardless of its [MH-60] spectacular capabilities, there have been a number of notable crashes through the years.

One such incident occurred in 2018 when an MH-60 Sea Hawk crashed on the flight deck of the usRonald Reagan whereas conducting routine operations within the Philippine Sea. The crash was attributed to mechanical failure, though the particular nature of this failure was not disclosed. The incident resulted in a number of non-fatal accidents to personnel on board.

One other crash involving the MH-60 Sea Hawk occurred in 2015 when a helicopter crashed within the Crimson Sea. The crash was attributable to a touchdown mishap whereas the helicopter was making an attempt to land on the deck of the guided-missile destroyer USS William P. Lawrence. The incident resulted within the lack of two crew members, whereas three others have been rescued.

In 2012, two MH-60s collided whereas conducting night-time coaching operations within the Pacific. The collision was attributed to pilot error and insufficient oversight throughout the coaching train. Seven folks have been killed within the incident.

Norway requested six Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters, and the US agreed
Picture credit score: Wikipedia

An earlier incident occurred in 2009 when an MH-60 crashed off the coast of Virginia throughout a coaching train. The crash was attributable to a chook strike that led to the failure of one of many helicopter’s engines. The incident resulted within the dying of three crew members, whereas one survived.

MH-60 operators

Apart from the US, the Royal Australian Navy operates the MH-60R variant of the Sea Hawk, which is primarily used for anti-submarine warfare. The Australian authorities ordered 24 of those helicopters in 2011 to interchange their growing older fleet of S-70B-2 Sea Hawks.

Denmark additionally makes use of the MH-60R Sea Hawk, with the Royal Danish Air Drive having obtained their first helicopter in 2016. They have been procured to interchange the Lynx helicopters that have been beforehand in service.

The Spanish Navy operates the SH-60B variant of the Sea Hawk. This variant is provided with a dipping sonar and forward-looking infrared [FLIR], making it perfect for anti-submarine warfare.

One other operator of the Sea Hawk is the Royal Saudi Navy, which makes use of the MH-60R variant. The Saudi Arabian authorities ordered 10 of those helicopters in 2015, to make use of them for anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare.

Lastly, the Indian Navy can be an operator of the MH-60R Sea Hawk. The Indian authorities signed a contract for twenty-four of those helicopters in 2020, to bolster their anti-submarine warfare capabilities.

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