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How to tell a MH-60R from a MH-60S
- Thread starter HeyJoe
- Start date
Two questions. From some other threads, it's apparent that 84 is a reserve squadron and not available for a first tour def, possibly only in the reserves. What would be the proper platform/squadron progression (assuming you're lucky) to get to HSC-84?
How does a navy pilot fly for 160th? Isn't that the Army' SOAR regiment?
Bravovs Romeo
I was with HSM-41 last summer for 1/C cruise. I flew with 41 and 71 pilots, they are all pretty cool. The Romeo is an awesome platform (in my opinion) as it can do all kinds of electronic stuff. On cruise I got about 25 hours (mostly back seat) in the Romeo and Bravos.
No one mentioned the differences between Rs and Bs. Bravo's have MAD hanging on the right side, sonobouy launcher on the left side, ECMs are "flat looking". Whereas the Romeo has no MAD or sonobouy launcher, but it can having a dipping SONAR installed underneath, a glass cockpit, ECM has more precision with the sensors coming out to a 90 degree angle (looking foreward/back and left/right). [not sure what the technical term is, a Romeo pilot can correct me] Both have radar underneath, FLIR up front, and small door on right side. Romeos will eventually replace all Bs and Fs, and will be deployed to carriers and small ships (already there).
I was with HSM-41 last summer for 1/C cruise. I flew with 41 and 71 pilots, they are all pretty cool. The Romeo is an awesome platform (in my opinion) as it can do all kinds of electronic stuff. On cruise I got about 25 hours (mostly back seat) in the Romeo and Bravos.
No one mentioned the differences between Rs and Bs. Bravo's have MAD hanging on the right side, sonobouy launcher on the left side, ECMs are "flat looking". Whereas the Romeo has no MAD or sonobouy launcher, but it can having a dipping SONAR installed underneath, a glass cockpit, ECM has more precision with the sensors coming out to a 90 degree angle (looking foreward/back and left/right). [not sure what the technical term is, a Romeo pilot can correct me] Both have radar underneath, FLIR up front, and small door on right side. Romeos will eventually replace all Bs and Fs, and will be deployed to carriers and small ships (already there).
Something to keep in mind is that things have changed over the last few years, both with the "enemy" being deposed (no more real embargo in the Gulf) as well as the Navy pulling back a lot of its helo assets to the ship. While there used to be more shore dets, specifically for the HS dudes, that's been reduced, probably because Navy Rotary was getting too productive.
Yes, -84 (and -85 and -60) are reserve squadrons, but there are ways to get there. In '04-'05 when there was a glut of pilots, HCS-4 (now HSC-84) and HSL-60 took regular Navy nuggets. -84 still has regular component members (from what I've gathered in talking some of them, they're all HS guys). If you decide to go FTS or reserve, then you may also go with -84 (or -85 or -60). At that point, what you did in the fleet isn't quite as big a deal as there are plenty of HSL guys doing the HSC-84 mission now.
Clear as mud?
The Bravos would regularly carry SEALs, so if the world was the same place it was 2002 and earlier, I'd guess the Romeo would as well. What the fat kids didn't/don't do is move SpecOps folks around in a delivery capacity.
Yes, -84 (and -85 and -60) are reserve squadrons, but there are ways to get there. In '04-'05 when there was a glut of pilots, HCS-4 (now HSC-84) and HSL-60 took regular Navy nuggets. -84 still has regular component members (from what I've gathered in talking some of them, they're all HS guys). If you decide to go FTS or reserve, then you may also go with -84 (or -85 or -60). At that point, what you did in the fleet isn't quite as big a deal as there are plenty of HSL guys doing the HSC-84 mission now.
Clear as mud?
The Bravos would regularly carry SEALs, so if the world was the same place it was 2002 and earlier, I'd guess the Romeo would as well. What the fat kids didn't/don't do is move SpecOps folks around in a delivery capacity.
phrogpilot73
Well-Known Member
You get out. I know there are former Marine pilots there, so I'd say a Navy guy isn't entirely unheard of.
Latest is a Cobra pilot (0-4) who wanted it so bad he went over as a WO (who do all the flying anyway) with no guarantee that he'd make the cut (there is an indoc/selection course).
There are still distinctions between old HS and old HC squadrons, except they're now called HSC(expeditionary) and HSC(CVW). As I understand it, HSC(CVW) squadrons are being outfitted with block IIIs exclusively when they transition to the 60S. HSC(exp) has been and will continue to fly Block Is and IIs until there are enough block IIIs to go around. There's also a distinction between block III aircraft and block III aircraft with the armed helo kit.
I've heard them called "bat wings" and they, along with the FLIR, the AMCM package and internal aux tanks are modular and can be removed as needed.
Clear as mud, right?
What is the difference between the block I/II and the block III? For some reason I thought all block III were the armed helo. I now assume its mainly software and computer stuff.
How many armed blk III a/c will be out there? I take it they will go CVN and not be a wasted asset on a USNS ship doing VERTREPS? It seems "cool" for a lack of a better word but another one of those things that will never get used. Hopefully it will though.
Both the Romeo and Bravo have the sonobuoy launcher.
Got something against the vital VERTREP mission?
080904-N-1635S-001 NORTH ARABIAN SEA (Sept. 4, 2008) An MH-60S Sea Hawk assigned to the "Blackjacks" of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 21 delivers a pallet of supplies onto the flight deck of the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Ronald Reagan is deployed to the U.S. 5th Fleet area of responsibility. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Torrey W. Lee/Released)
Too productive?
Nope! Just think it would be silly to have armed sierras doing VERTREP if there are other "plain jane" sierras around. If that makes any sense? Kind of like having a AC-130 flying around as a troop transport.
It was sarcasm. Just when (regular) Navy Rotary thinks it's doing something productive, the "man" pulls them back to do Starboard D/SSC/etc.
I fly the things and I'm not too sure about all the differences, I'm a little more concerned about the tree that I have right now as opposed to the forest....but....
Block I: Basic MH-60S. Glass cockpit, and that's about it. Used for Gator SAR, USNS logistics, and day dickaround bird.
Block II: Can have internal aux tanks installed. 4th (utility) hydraulic pump for OAMCM (mine hunting) stuff.
Block II Air Ambulance: A few west coast birds have been modified for the Air Ambulance mission. They have a litter management system, a different ASE setup, blue force tracker, and some external changes like the Inlet Barrier Filters.
Block IIb: All the hookups for the eventual mine gear, plus different ASE capabilities.
Block IIIa/b: I believe that IIIa has all the ability to carry all the hardware, and IIIb is the actual hardware such as MTS (FLIR is so last year...) and the EWS (hellfire racks). Or maybe IIIb is something like the addition of Link 16...I can't remember.
I say believe because I've never had any hands on exposure to a Blk III. My squadron isn't slated to get them anytime soon. Like someone else said, the Blk IIIs are going to CVW squadrons because they have the strike/CSAR mission and are more in need of a helo with ASE capability. Not too sure how the mission kits (the wings, etc) are going to be used with the expeditionary dets, but it will add to these dets capability so they can do something other than SAR and logistics.
Keep in mind, that the wings, MTS, aux tanks, and weapons are removable so aircraft can be reconfigured depending on what mission they're doing.