Kaman SH-2 Seasprite

▼ Watching the Soviets

The SH-2 was often used to shadow Soviet naval auxiliaries, like this research vessel of the Pacific fleet in the Sea of Japan. The SH-2 could defect ships with its own radar, or by homing in on their radar emissions.

A Torpedo attack

The Seasprite s main anti-submarv* weapon is the homing torpedo. Having located the target with sonar buoys or magnetic dctoctx* equipment, the weapon is released The SH-2G will cam, tho new hghtw&gK and more capable Mk SO torpedo.

► Early Seasprite models were rebuilt In Connecticut to become advanced SH-2Fs and SH-2Gs.

► The Seasprite helicopter known as HU2K – 1 first flew on 2 July 1959.

► Egypt bought the SH-2F. and the SH-2G has been soloctod by tho Australian navy.

Kaman is flying an SH-2F with the company’s Magic Lantern anti-ship detector housed in a pod.

Tho first flight of the new SH-2G took place on 28 December 1989.

Turkoy received 14 surplus SH-2Fs undr* an agreement proposed in 1994.

The Ч-JJipritc .tnd SFI-2G Super Seasprite are I lie only helicopters from Cliarle> Katiun*s Conncxlicul I comp-111′ that1,0 П, И usc tltc farm hi’ inventor > twin

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The Seasprite first flew in 1959 ami entered service in the 1960s as a ship-launched US Naw testae and utility helicoptei n early Seasprite

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Hew a dramatic mission on 19 June PXbS. when Commander Clyde Lisson went deep into Nonli Vietnam under heavy lire to rescue a downed Phantom crewman, he Was one ot only two I s naval aviators to lx – awarded the Medal of Попої m tltat conflict.

In ihe I*>’7t)s and 1980s, the Miigle-engiix* craft with three – bladed rotors evolved into a twin-engine helicopter with lour-

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DETECTION AND ATTACK: The

Seaspnte makes a final chock on the target location, usuaSy by dropping sonobuoys or using MAD gear which reacts to the target’s magnetic field. Tho 1 launch a torpedo or depth charge I near the target

SH-2 Seasprite

Powerplant: twp 1285-KW (t.722-hp) General Electric T700-GE-401/403C; SH-2F has two 1007-kW p,343-hp.) rS8-G£-8F turboshahs

Mai speed: 265 knVh (164 m. p h) at sea level

Max cruising speed: 230 knvh (КЗ m p h j

Range: 679 km (421 mg

Service ceiling: 5670 m (18.598 ft.)

Weights: empty 3193 kg (7.025 lb ); maximum take-off 6033 kg (13.273 lb)

Armament: up to two Mk 46 or Mk 50 lightweight torpedoes; 7.62-mm machine-gun may be pintto mounted in each doorway: the SH-2G can carry the AGM-65 Maverick air-to-ground nvssiie

Dimensions:

rotor diameter length height

rotor disc area

COMBAT DATA

733 к mi (143 n#.k.)

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m in» (146 e. p.h

11

2 ■ torp

Kaman