There were two models of the Seahawk, 60B (Lamps Mk III) and 60F. The replaced, respectively, the Sea Sprite (LAmps Mk I) for outer zone ASW, and the Sea King for inner zone ASW.
The 60B did not have a dipping sonar. It was tethered to the ship via Hawk Link when required. In effect, you could send one of two things down the link: surface, mainly radar; or subsurface, mainly sono acoustics. However, it also had the capacitiy to process either of these in abscence of the link, as well as its MAD. Its limiting factor was crew: 3, the pilot, Co-Pilot / ATO (airborne Tactical Officer), and sensor operator. This was augmented by up to four directly in the ship's ops room: ASTAC, Air Controller, Above Water, and Below Water (nominally). Later on they also pushed video down the Hawk Link. Mainly small deck based.
The 60F had a dipping sonar, but no radar. It didn't have Hawk Link, but did have a databurst in its tactical computer (as did the Sea King... our Sea King had the software but it was never hooked up to the radio except in trials). It had a more robust crew of 4: Pilot, Co-Pilot / ATO, enlisted Tactical Sensor Operator (ran the rear tactical computer), and enlisted acoustic sonsor operator. Mainly carrier based.
The 60R is meant to replace both the 'B and the 'F... it has sonar, sonos, radar, ESM, EO/IR, but no MAD. It carries an improved hawk Link based on TCDL (Tactical Common Data Link, the same radio type as our Griffins, Auroros, and Sea Kings have), but also has Link-16 to give it enhanced inner zone or independant ops. Limiting factor is still the crew of three. Small deck and carrier based.
Finally, the 60S is to replace a bunch of other helos: Mine Counter Measure Sea Stallions, Sea Knights, etc, plus gives them a better shooter capability. No Hawk Link, but has Link-16. Only real sensor is EO/IR. Makes a good hunter killer team with the 60R... the 'R searches actively and the 'S kills quietly.
With the TCDL in the Sea King the Canadian MH community is already having to consider what gets pushed to the ship and what doesn't. Since now the ship can see your plot (including AIS), video, and pictures, then sometimes there's an expectation that they will make all the decisions... but sometimes there's other info (like the pilot's eyes) that gives the helo a better SA. The next MH will continue to change the dynamic; unfortunately no Link-16 or TCDL, but Link-11/22 will make us more Merlin like.
Funny this is in a thread about Griffins???
By the way, the 60R can't meet the Canadian requirement (although we could change the requirement). With all the ASW gear it only has space for a crew of three, plus one squished little pax seat. As well, anyone talking about commonality between 60 versions doesn't understand the first thing about what it takes to marinize a helo... there's very little actually in common.
op:
