seeking and engaging submarines many miles from the
ship, the Seahawk helicopter is able to provide targeting
information for over-the-horizon, surface-to-surface
missiles. The secondary mission of the Seahawk
helicopter is search and rescue, medical evacuation,
vertical replenishment, and communications relay.
MH-53E Sea Dragon
The MH-53E (fig. 8-59) is used primarily for
airborne mine countermeasures, with a secondary
mission of shipboard delivery. The MH-53E Sea
Dragon is heavier and has a greater fuel capacity than its
ancestor, the CH-53E Super Stallion. MH-53s can
operate from carriers and other warships. The Sea
Dragon is capable of carrying up to 55 troops or a 16-ton
payload 50 nautical miles or a 10-ton payload 500
nautical miles. The MH-53E is capable of towing a
variety of mine-sweeping countermeasures systems,
including the Mk 105 minesweeping sled, the ASQ-14
side-scan sonar, and the Mk 103 mechanical mine-
sweeping system.
V-22A Osprey
The V-22 Osprey is a joint-service, multimission
aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL)
capability. It performs VTOL missions as effectively as
a conventional helicopter while also having the
long-range cruise abilities of a twin turboprop aircraft.
The Marine Corps is the lead service in the development
of the Osprey. The Marine Corps version, the MV-22A,
will be an assault transport for troops, equipment and
supplies, and will be capable of operating from ships or
from expeditionary airfields ashore. The Navy’s
HV-22A will provide combat search and rescue,
delivery and retrieval of special warfare teams along
with fleet logistic support transport. The Air Force
CV-22A will conduct long-range special operations
missions.
8-41
Photograph courtesy of PH2(NAC) Jeff Viano
Figure 8-56.–SH-2 Seasprite
Photograph courtesy of SSGT D.W. Mobley
Figure 8-57.—CH-53D Sea Stallion airlifts grain for Somalia.
Student Notes:
Photograph courtesy of PH3 Anthony Haley
Figure 8-58.—SH-60B Seahawk aboard USS Carney
(DDG 64) during VERTREP.
