2023-07-14 20:41:44
The Navy has uploaded to its Twitter account the spectacular video in which it shows how an SH-60B Seahawk helicopter from the 10th Navy Squadron, based in Rota, provides fire support to ground units with its 12.7 machine gun mm GAU-16.
This helicopter was designed to work in conjunction with the “Santa María” type frigates and the “Álvaro de Bazán” type frigates, as part of the LAMPS MK-III system (Light Airborne Multiportose System). Therefore, this system means perfect synchronization between the SH60B helicopter and a Fleet escort that has said system. Currently, they serve as escort for both the FFG “Santa María” class frigates and the F-100 of the “Álvaro de Bazán” class.
The main feature of this system is that by means of a real-time data link that is also directional and secure (Data Link), information is constantly exchanged between the ship and the helicopter, so the helicopter sensors are an extension and a complement. of the ship’s combat capabilities and its Combat and Information Center, CIC.
The squadron was created in 1988, and received its first six helicopters on December 22, 1988.
Once the Squadron was constituted, the first shipment was made on February 27, 1989 aboard the frigate F-82 “Victoria” to participate in the first qualification of pilots aboard this type of frigate. The first operational boarding took place on July 18, 1989 to participate in the preparation of the SHARP-SPEAR maneuvers aboard the frigate F-82 “Victoria” and F-83 “Numancia.
Subsequently, in October 2002, six new units (Block I) were received and a modernization plan for the other six began so that twelve helicopters were available with homogeneous structure and equipment. Its type designation with the modernization is SH60B Block I Core B.
Since its creation, the helicopters of this Squadron have participated in numerous exercises and real operations, both national and international, demonstrating their high operational value.
Recently, with the entry into service of the BAM “Meteor” type patrol boats, these units are also embarked.
In addition to carrying out these commissions by sea, the Squadron normally also deploys by land for different exercises and collaborations with the Marine Corps and other Armies.
The Tenth Squadron since its creation has been present in practically all the missions that the Navy has carried out internationally. Some of them such as the Sharp Guard operation to embargo the former Yugoslavia, Enduring Freedom in the fight against terrorism in the Indian Ocean, the deployment in Lebanon, the Iraq war integrated into the group of the American aircraft carrier T. Roosevelt, the groups permanent NATO missions in the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, Operation Active Endeavor to fight terrorism in the Mediterranean and in the intervention of the international coalition in Libya, in addition to multiple exercises, both national and international.
In addition to the use of the machine gun in fire support tasks for units on the ground, the SH-60B stands out for being the only Spanish aircraft that has the capacity to launch AGM-144 Hellfire missiles, manufactured by the American company Lockheed Martin, which allows attack small surface units from the air or provide air support to the Marine Corps.
It can carry a crew of up to five people (pilot, co-pilot, sensor operator, and two more) and is capable of flight with night vision goggles, laser designator, sonobuoy launcher, or missile threat alerter with chaff and flare dispenser.
The Government has already given the green light to the purchase of eight multipurpose naval helicopters, model “Multi-Misssion Multi-Role Helicopter” (MH-60R) for an amount of 820,515,490.36 euros with a view to replacing the SH-60B, in the final stretch of its operational life.
The acquisition of the MH-60R has been one of the priorities in the material section of the Spanish Navy for some time now. These helicopters would provide “a solid, proven and reliable solution, which together with the upcoming entry into service of the F-110 frigates in 2027, would guarantee the Navy’s anti-submarine warfare capability in the short-medium term.” The Romeo would come to replace the SH-60B helicopters of the Tenth Aircraft Squadron.
The MH-60R Seahawk helicopter provides anti-submarine (ASW) and anti-surface warfare (ASuW) capabilities. Designed and built to US Navy specifications, the “Romeo” is rugged, powerful and reliable whether used from shore or from a ship.
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