Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1258433
these days. SH-60B helicopters will remain the primary asset for years to come. This is why the modernization is being planned. The aircraft are to be fitted with dipping sonar, a new acoustic processor, a new maritime surveillance radar, an optronic sensor, a modernized elec- tronic warfare suite, AIS receiver, and a datalink. It is expected that the program would begin after 2022. The Spanish Navy hopes that the modernized aircraft would remain active at least until 2035. The Navy also uses the newer SH-60F but they come in a transport variant. The acquisition has been tied to the delay of the NH90 pro- curement. The NH90, meanwhile, was to replace the Sea Kings adapt- ed for airlift purposes. With a necessity to delay the procurement and with the requirement to maintain landing operations support capaci- ty, a decision was made to procure second-hand aircraft. In 2012 an agreement was signed on procurement of six SH-60F Sea Hawks that undergo modernization and upgrades in the US, before the handoff. The ASW equipment is removed. The helicopters also received new GE T700-401C engines, modernized avionics, and comms suite. The aircraft delivered also feature a relevant countermeasure system and armor plating of the cabins, both very much usable in assault oper- ations. Between 2017 and 2019 six helicopters were delivered. An- other agreement assuming that another four would be bought has been signed in September209 - this includes two examples without upgrades that are to serve as a source of spares. Delivery of further aircraft is expected between 2021 and 2023. Two helicopters are to be added to the FLOAN's inventory per annum so that the number reaches the target quantity of 8 in late 2023. SH-60F helicopters belong to the 10th Squadron, the personnel of which had a relevant skillset at hand already - with SH-60B experience under their belt. This made that unit predisposed to smoothly transition to the new type. Ultimately it would gradually replace the Sea Kings in the 5th Squadron. Sea Hawks are complemented with the Agusta Bell AB-212 that have been operated by the Spanish Navy since 1974. The AB-212 is a com- mon sight especially in case of smaller warships. The aircraft remains in possession of the 3rd Naval Aviation Squadron that currently op- erates 7 helicopters as such. AB-212s have gone through upgrades between 2015 and 2018, carried out by Sener/Babcock Spain, aimed at extending the operational lifetimes by 15 years and upgrading them to the "Plus" standard. The broad scope of modernization includes in- stallation of a mission computer, radar that can be used for maritime surveillance, glass cockpit avionics made usable with NVGs, optronic sensor, AIS receiver, new communication systems, and a new winch. The survivability of those aircraft has also been enhanced, with armor plating for the pilots and a new countermeasure system. The last of the modernized aircraft was handed off last year. The helicopters are expected to remain active until 2030, acting as a complementary asset that is to work jointly with SH-60F Sea Hawks, in tasks such as ASuW or SOF operations. The Sea Hawks would ultimately be replaced by the naval variant of the NHIndustries NH90. These aircraft are to become the primary heli- copter asset across the whole Spanish Armed Forces. Two variants of Naval Aviation - Rotary-wing Assets The Armada Española's helicopters have a well-defined and well-known set of tasks assigned. These include ASW/ASuW, patrol sorties, airlift, and support for the Marines. The latter mission has been assigned to the 5th Naval Aviation Squadron operating the SH-3D Sea Kings. Sea King is a platform that is gradually approaching the end of its lifetime. Spain currently operates the ASW Sea Kings manufactured between 1972 and 1981. They are assigned, primarily, to the Juan Carlos I and Galicia and Castilla vessels as well. In 2001 all of the helicopters avail- able, apart from 3 examples, have been converted and now serve in cargo roles. The three remaining platforms are used in the AEW&C role. They carry the AEW Mk.2 mission suite coupled with the EMI-Thorn Searchwater radar. The aircraft began their service in 1999. Almost for two decades, they have been a relevant part of the aircraft stationed onboard the Príncipe de Asturias aircraft carrier and then, on Juan Car- los I. In 2007 a modernization of those helicopters was started, but the plans have been brought to a halt by the economic crisis. Ultimately the helicopters were not modernized - all Sea King AEW Mk.2s were withdrawn in 2016. Currently, they are used as a source of spares.. The Spanish Navy has been opting for the acquisition of new rotary winged aircraft for some time now, and even though there is a long bumpy road ahead, the possible options are worth having a closer look. Three solutions can be listed as available on the market now. The first one is the FIAR Eliradar HEW-784 installed on the Leonardo EH-101As. The second solution is the Searchwater 2000 AEW radar that is a part of the Crownset system integrated on the Merlin HM.2. The third system, Lockheed Martin Vigilance, is competing against the British solution in the new Royal Navy's AEW system procurement. At stage so early it is difficult to speak as to which system is better or preferred here. It may only be speculated that NH90 helicopters acquired by the Navy recently could become the carrier platform. However, the NH90 has not been integrated with any of the aforesaid systems. SH-60B and SH-60F Sea Hawks are the most common asset in the Spanish Navy's helicopter fleet. The former helicopters became a part of the Spanish fleet in 1990 when six of them have been delivered for the Santa Maria class frigates. Eight years later, as a requirement emerged to procure helicopters for the new Álvaro de Bazán-class vessels, an order has been placed concerning another 6 examples. The deliveries were launched in 2002. The helicopters came in Block I variant, with a new acoustic processor, optoelectronic sensor, and armament package including the Hellfire missiles. At the same time, an order was placed to upgrade the former six aircraft. This took two years. SH-60B helicopters conduct operations from all of the Spanish escort vessels, i.e. six Santa Maria class frigates and five Álvaro de Bazán-class frigates. Should a need emerge, these aircraft can also use the BAM vessels as their base. Spanish SH-60B has quite limited ASW capabilities when the contemporary requirements are taken into account. The sensor suite only includes a magnetic anomaly detector and sonobuoys. Lack of a dipping sonar is considered to be a major deficiency, as AIP-capable submarines have become far more common NAVY