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Kaman SH-2 Seasprite

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The Kaman SH-2 Seasprite is a ship-based helicopter originally developed and produced by American manufacturer Kaman Aircraft Corporation. It has been typically used as a compact and fast-moving rotorcraft for utility and anti-submarine warfare (ASW) missions. Early on it was modest sized single-engined naval utility helicopter, and progressed to twin-engine ASW and SAR, and the latest model served well into the 21st century, with G model in active service in the 2020s with Egypt, New Zealand, Peru, and Poland.

The Seasprite, with the internal Kaman designation K-20, was developed in the late 1950s in response to a United States Navy (USN) requirement for a suitably fast and compact naval utility helicopter. The USN found the Seasprite attractive, and ordered four prototypes and an initial batch of 12 production helicopters as the HU2K-1. Under the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system, the HU2K and HU2K-1 were re-designated as H-2 and UH-2A respectively. Kaman also pursued foreign sales; after showing interest, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) rejected the Seasprite due to an unexpected price increase and underperformance during sea trials. The USN addressed the poor performance by converting the single-engine Seasprites into a more powerful twin-engine configuration from 1968.

In October 1970, the USN selected the Seasprite as the interim Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) helicopter, resulting in the SH-2D/F variant with enhanced ASW and anti-surface warfare sensors. Most UH-2s were converted into SH-2Fs.

USN Seasprites were used for ASW, search and rescue (SAR), utility and plane guard for aircraft carriers. In the Vietnam War they were mainly used for combat search and rescue (CSAR), and combat support and surface warfare during the Gulf War. The SH-2G Super Seasprite was the last variant and — in 2001 — the last Seasprite to leave USN service. Retired USN Seasprites were offered as foreign aid in the 1990s and 2000s; this led to quite some interest and F and/or G models served with New Zealand, Poland, and Egypt. Retired models were also sent to aviation museums, and a number have been put on display. However, the latest upgraded models are still in frontline service with several navies around the world.

Design and developmentEdit

OriginsEdit

File:YUH-2A 147204 ditching NAN7-63.jpg
A YUH-2A during ditching trials, 1963
File:UH-2A HU-1 hoisting man from USS JR Craig (DD-885) c1964.jpg
UH-2A hoists someone from a ship, 1964. The Seasprite began its military career as modest naval utility helicopter.

In 1956, the USN launched a competition for a compact, all-weather multipurpose naval helicopter, and encouraged submissions from private companies.<ref name=Complete_Encyclopedia>Donald, David ed. "Kaman H-2 Seasprite", The Complete Encyclopedia of World Aircraft. Barnes & Noble Books, 1997. Template:ISBN.</ref><ref name = "McGowen 60"/> Kaman responded with its K-20 design, a relatively conventional helicopter with a General Electric T58-8F turboshaft engine droving a 44-foot four-bladed main rotor and a four-bladed tail rotor.<ref name = "McGowen 60">McGowen 2005, p. 60.</ref><ref name=Apostolo/> Kaman won the competition<ref name=Apostolo>Apostolo, G. The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Helicopters. Bonanza Books, 1984. Template:ISBN.</ref><ref name = "Pattillo 211">Pattillo 2001, p. 211.</ref> and was awarded a contract to construct four prototypes and an initial batch of 12 production helicopters, designated as the HU2K-1.<ref name=Complete_Encyclopedia/>

In 1960, the HU2K was the RCN's preferred option for its ASW helicopter program, and the Government of Canada approved the purchase of 12 Seasprites for $14.5 million.<ref>Soward 1995, pp. 169–171.</ref> However, the purchase was disrupted by Kaman suddenly raising the price to $23 million, and concerns that the helicopter's designed weight and performance criteria were overoptimistic. The RCN delayed making a decision until after the USN sea trials<ref>Soward 1995, pp. 244–246.</ref> which confirmed that the HU2K was overweight and underpowered for their needs. In late-1961, Canada selected the competing Sikorsky CH-124 Sea King instead.<ref>Soward 1995, pp. 261–262.</ref>

In the late-1960s, without further orders Kaman decided to terminate production after completing the USN order of 184 H-2s. However, in 1971, production was restarted for the improved SH-2F<ref name = "Pattillo 312">Pattillo 2001, p. 312.</ref> to operate from older frigates. This ability meant it stayed in service to the end of the century, as even with the introduction of the newer, larger and overall more capable Sikorsky SH-60 Sea Hawk which entered service starting in the mid-1980s, but it could not operate safety from the smaller flight decks like the smaller Seasprite.<ref>Lehman 2001, p. 183.</ref>

Further developmentsEdit

File:UH-2C CVA-19 1968-69.jpg
A UH-2C aboard USS Hancock between July 1968 and March 1969
File:Kaman SH-2D.jpg
Kaman SH-2D

The HU2K-1 and HU2K-1U were re-designated as the UH-2A and UH-2B respectively under the 1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system. The Seasprite continued to receive modifications and improvements, including external stores mounts. Beginning in 1968, the USN's remaining UH-2s underwent a major conversion into a more powerful two-engine configuration.<ref name=Frawley_Military>Frawley 2002, p. 100.</ref>

In the 1960s, the US Army commissioned a gunship version, which was called the Kaman H-2 Tomahawk, and featured multiple M-60 machine guns (7.62) and options for rocket launchers, however, it was passed over in favor of the AH-1 Cobra.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 1968 two UH-2Bs, were converted to NUH-2B.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> These were experimental versions for the U.S. Army, which attached a J85 turbojet to the helicopter, and achieved speeds over 220s mph, and the second prototype had wings attached. Both prototypes were returned to SH2-D after the trials.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In October 1970, the UH-2 was selected as the interim Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) helicopter.<ref name=Frawley_Military/> LAMPS evolved during the 1960s from an urgent requirement to provide non-aviation ships with manned support and ASW helicopters. The "LAMPS Mark I" suite included advanced sensors, processors, and display capabilities. H-2s upgraded with LAMPS were called SH-2Ds, and became mobile radar and sonar platforms that enhanced the situational awareness of ships.<ref name=Frawley_Military/>

The SH-2D first flew on 16 March 1971.<ref>Pattillo 2001, pp. 312–313.</ref> Deliveries of the SH-2F began in 1973; the SH-2F included LAMPS I and other improvements, such as upgraded engines, an extended life main rotor, and an heavier take-off weight. During 1981, the USN ordered 60 SH-2Fs. From 1987, 16 SH-2Fs were upgraded with a chin-mounted forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, chaff/flare launchers, dual rear-mounted infrared countermeasures, and missile/mine detecting equipment.<ref name=Eden_p219>Eden 2004, p. 219.</ref>

All but two USN H-2s were converted into SH-2Fs. Fiscal Year 1986 was the last time SH-2F were ordered; the final six were converted into SH-2G Super Seasprites.<ref name=Eden_p219/>

Operational historyEdit

United StatesEdit

File:UH-2A HC-1 CVA-63 Mar1966.jpg
A UH-2A on plane guard duty hovers over the USS Kitty Hawk in March 1966.
File:HH-2D Seasprite approaches USS W.S. Sims (DE-1059) during flight deck strength tests in September 1970.jpg
HH-2D, which was a search and rescue version, on approach in 1970

The UH-2 entered operational service with the USN in 1962.<ref name=Apostolo/> The single engine greatly restricted performance. Kaman was ordered to convert all of the Seasprites to a twin-engine configuration. The upgraded helicopters had a Template:Convert airspeed and a Template:Convert operating range.<ref name = "McGowen 60"/> The USN operated nearly 200 Seasprites in multiple roles, including ASW, SAR, and utility transport.<ref name = "McGowen 60"/> Under typical operational conditions, USN aircraft carrier deployed with several UH-2s in the plane guard and SAR roles.<ref name=Frawley_Military/>

The UH-2 was introduced in time to see action in the Tonkin Gulf incident in August 1964. The Seasprite's main role in the Vietnam War was CSAR of downed aircrews at sea and overland, reliance on the Seasprite in this role increased as the conflict intensified, such as during Operation Rolling Thunder in 1965.<ref name = "Dunstan 152">Dunstan 2003, p. 152.</ref> During October 1966, helicopter-based SAR teams recovered 103 out of 269 downed pilots.<ref>Hearn 2005, p. 255.</ref>

During the 1970s, the conversion of UH-2s to the SH-2 anti-submarine configuration provided the U.S. Navy with its first dedicated ASW helicopter capable of operating from vessels other than its aircraft carriers. The compact size of the SH-2 allowed the type to be operated from flight decks that were too small for the majority of helicopters; this factor would later play a role in the U.S. Navy's decision to acquire the improved SH-2F during the early 1980s.<ref>Boyne 2002, p. 343.</ref>

The SH-2F fleet was utilized to enforce and support Operation Earnest Will in July 1987, Operation Praying Mantis in April 1988, and Operation Desert Storm during January 1991 in the Persian Gulf region.<ref>Chant 2001, p. 54.</ref> The countermeasures and additional equipment present upon the SH-2F allowed the type to conduct combat support and surface warfare missions within these hostile environments, which had an often-minimal submarine threat. In April 1994, the SH-2F was retired from active service with the U.S. Navy; the timing corresponded with the retirement of the last of the Vietnam-era Knox-class frigates that were unable to accommodate the new and larger SH-60 Sea Hawks, which were used to replace the aging Seasprites.

In 1991, the U.S. Navy had begun to receive deliveries of the new SH-2G Super Seasprite; a total of 18 converted SH-2Fs and 6 new-built SH-2Gs were produced.<ref>Endres and Gething 2005, p. 492.</ref> These were assigned to Naval Reserve squadrons, the SH-2G entered service with HSL-84 in 1993.<ref name=JAU_SH-2G>Jane's Aircraft Upgrades. Jane's Information Group, 2009. (subscription article)Template:Dead link posted 20 March 2009.</ref> The SH-2 served in some 600 deployments and flew 1.5 million flight hours before the last of the type were finally retired from US Navy service in mid-2001.<ref name=JAU_SH-2G/><ref>Stephens, Ernie. "Putting the "Super" in the Kaman Super Seasprite" Template:Webarchive. Rotor & Wing, 1 October 2009.</ref>

New ZealandEdit

The Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) replaced its Westland Wasps with an initial batch of four<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> interim SH-2F Seasprites (formerly operated by the U.S. Navy), operated and maintained by a mix of Navy and Air Force personnel known as No. 3 Squadron RNZAF Naval Support Flight, to operate with ANZAC class frigates until the fleet of five new SH-2G(NZ) Super Seasprites were delivered. In October 2005, the Navy air element was transferred to No. 6 Squadron RNZAF at RNZAF Base Auckland in Whenuapai. RNZN Seasprites have seen service in East Timor. 10 of the 11 SH-2G(A)s rejected by the Royal Australian Navy<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> were purchased in 2014 to replace the five RNZN SH-2G(NZ) Seasprites that had required either a MLU (Mid Life Upgrade) or replacement due to corrosion issues, maintenance problems and obsolescence.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Kaman modified the ex-Australian aircraft and renamed them SH-2G(I), with the last one being delivered to New Zealand in early 2016. Eight of the aircraft are flying with the ninth and tenth aircraft being attritional aircraft used for spares etc. The 11th aircraft is held by Kaman as a prototype and test aircraft.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The five SH-2G(NZ) have been sold to Peru.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A SH-2F (ex-RNZN, NZ3442) is preserved in the Royal New Zealand Air Force Museum, donated to the museum by Kaman Aircraft Corporation after an accident while in service with the RNZN.

RNAF uses the FN Mag 58 machine gun firing 7.62 mm, and it was fielded by 2008.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

ExportsEdit

During the late 1990s, the United States decided to offer the surplus U.S. Navy SH-2Fs as foreign aid to a number of overseas countries. Among those to be offered the type included Greece, which had been offered six, and Turkey, which had been offered 14, but they rejected the offer.<ref name=assistance>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="age">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Egypt opted to acquire four SH-2F under this aid program, they were mainly used for spares in to support of their existing fleet of ten SH-2Gs.<ref name="age" /> In the early 2000s, Australia acquired the SH-2G model, with ten delivered by 2007,<ref name="Australian Feb 10-11 2005">Template:Cite news</ref> 11 had been ordered in the late 1990s, but they only served from 2003 to 2008; the RAN consolidated on using the SH-60 Seahawk and was launching the MRH-90 Taipan program at the time. Poland chose to acquire the later SH-2G variant.<ref name="age" /> Peru acquired Ex-RNZAF SH-2Gs and they entered service in the late 2010s.<ref name="Peru signs2">Template:Cite news</ref>

VariantsEdit

File:UH-2B of HC-1 on USS Constellation (CVA-64) 1967.jpg
UH-2B on the USS Constellation (CV-64) in 1967
File:HH-2C HC-7.jpg
The Vietnam War-era HH-2C combat search and rescue
File:Kaman YSH-2E Seasprite approaches USS Fox (DLG-33) c1972.jpg
YSH-2E with experimental nose antenna, in the early 70s for LAMPS
File:An SH-2F Seasprite helicopter warms up on the deck of the guided missile frigate USS REUBEN JAMES (FFG-57) underway off San Diego - DPLA - 7163aa8987d7b26b6e752b40c824ae13.jpeg
SH-2F in 1986 on the deck of a frigate
YHU2K-1
Four test and evaluation prototypes powered by an 875-shp General Electric T58-GE-6 turboshaft engine. Later redesignated YUH-2A in 1962.<ref name=Complete_Encyclopedia/>
HU2K-1
Utility transport helicopter, powered by a 1,250-shp (932-kW) General Electric T58-GE-8B turboshaft engine. Initial production version. Later redesignated UH-2A in 1962. 88 built.<ref name=Complete_Encyclopedia/>
UH-2B
Utility transport helicopter, same as UH-2A without IFR instruments, although these were later added without a subsequent change to the designation. 102 built.Template:Citation needed
H-2 "Tomahawk"
A gunship version based on UH-2A. One prototype was built and tested for the U.S. Army in 1963. The Army selected it in November 1963, but the planned order for 220 H-2s was forsaken for additional UH-1 orders.<ref>Harding, Stephen. Kaman H-2 Tomahawk and Seasprite". U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1997. Template:ISBN.</ref>
NUH-2B<ref>{{#invoke
citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>: One aircraft (147978) fitted with Beechcraft Queen Air wings and a General Electric J85 turbojet engine in May 1968.Template:Citation needed

UH-2C
UH-2A and UH-2B helicopters fitted with two General Electric T58-GE-8B turboshaft engines.<ref name=Complete_Encyclopedia/> One former UH-2A acted as a prototype and was followed by 40 conversions from UH-2A and UH-2B.
NUH-2C
One UH-2C helicopter (147981) was modified with stub-wings and pylons for weapons trials, missiles fitted included the AIM-9 Sidewinder and AIM-7 Sparrow III air-to-air missiles.<ref name=Complete_Encyclopedia/>
NUH-2D
Redesignation of the NUH-1C test and evaluation helicopter.<ref name=Complete_Encyclopedia/>
HH-2C
Search and rescue helicopter, armed with a single Minigun in a chin-mounted turret and two waist mounted 7.62mm machine guns, six conversions.<ref name=Complete_Encyclopedia/>
HH-2D
Search and rescue helicopter, without any armament or armor but fitted with T58-GE-8F engines and four-bladed tail rotor, 67 conversions from UH-2A and UH-2Bs.<ref name=Complete_Encyclopedia/>
SH-2D
Anti-submarine warfare helicopter, 20 conversions from earlier models.<ref name=Complete_Encyclopedia/>
YSH-2E
Two test and evaluation helicopters, fitted with an advanced radar and LAMPS equipment.<ref name=Complete_Encyclopedia/>
SEALITE
Intended as the definitive version of the Seasprite for the LAMPS program. A 'lightweight' design for use on naval destroyers and escort vessels which had helicopter deck loading limits of about 6,000 lb (2,720 kg). Was to utilize the dynamic system of the basic UH-2 helicopter, but with a small, lighter fuselage, new skid landing gear, one Pratt & Whitney (UACL) PT6T (T400-CP-400) turboshaft engine, and a three-blade folding rotor with a new rotor hub to keep the maximum gross weight at 7,900 lb (3,583 kg). Planned in three variants, ASW, CMD (Cruise Missile Defense, i.e. anti-ASM), and General Purpose.<ref name=Flying_ReviewMay70>Flying Review International, May 1970</ref><ref name=Soviet_Navy_Review72>Soviet Naval Digest. Number 8, 1972</ref> The company designation for the SEALITE was K-820. Due to post-Vietnam cutbacks, the SH-2F was ultimately procured instead.<ref name=Flight_Aug71>Flight, August 1971</ref>
SH-2F
Anti-submarine warfare helicopter, powered by two 1,350 shp (1,007 kW) General Electric T58-GE-8F turboshaft engines. Improved version. Mostly conversions from SH-2Ds and earlier models. Bureau numbers 161641 through 161652 and 161654 through 163214. A total of 59 aircraft, entered service as SH-2Fs.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>Template:Verify source

YSH-2G
1 SH-2G prototype converted from an SH-2F.<ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite
Anti-submarine warfare helicopter, powered by two 1,723 shp (1,285 kW) General Electric T700-GE-401 turboshaft engines.<ref name=":0" />

OperatorsEdit

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Aircraft on displayEdit

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File:149021 Sikorsky SH-2F Seasprite.jpg
SH-2F Seasprite on display in museum ship at Alameda, California
United States

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  • 150175 – SH-2F on static display at the Template:USS in Camden, New Jersey. It is painted as bureau number 150141.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • 152201 – SH-2F on static display at the Louisiana Military Museum in Ruston, Louisiana.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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Specifications (SH-2F Seasprite)Edit

File:Kaman SH-2F Seasprite 3-view line drawing.png
3-view line drawing of the Kaman SH-2F Seasprite

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See alsoEdit

File:Kaman UH-2A 149023 HC-4 Guadal 080870 edited-2.jpg
UH-2A, 1970

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ReferencesEdit

CitationsEdit

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BibliographyEdit

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  • Andrade, John M. U.S. Military Aircraft Designations and Serials since 1909. Midland Counties Publications, England, 1979. Template:ISBN.
  • Boyne, Walter J. Air Warfare: an International Encyclopedia: A-L. ABC-CLIO, 2002. Template:ISBN.
  • Chant, Chris. Air War in the Gulf 1991. Osprey Publishing, 2001. Template:ISBN.
  • Cordesman, Anthony H. Arab-Israeli Military Forces in an Era of Asymmetric Wars. Greenwood Publishing, 2006. Template:ISBN.
  • Template:Cite book
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  • Dunstan, Simon. Vietnam Choppers. Osprey Publishing, 2003. Template:ISBN.
  • Endres, Günter., Michael J. Gething. Jane's Aircraft Recognition Guide. HarperCollins, UK, 2005. Template:ISBN.
  • Eden, Paul. "Kaman SH-2 Seasprite", Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft. Amber Books, 2004. Template:ISBN.
  • Frawley, Gerard. The International Directory of Military Aircraft. Aerospace Publications, 2002. Template:ISBN.
  • Hearn, Chester G. Carriers in Combat: The Air War at Sea. Greenwood Publishing, 2005. Template:ISBN.
  • Lehman, John F. Command of the Seas. Naval Institute Press, 2001. Template:ISBN.
  • McGowen, Stanley S. Helicopters: An Illustrated History Of Their Impact. ABC-CLIO, 2005. Template:ISBN.
  • Pattillo, Donald M. Pushing the Envelope: The American Aircraft Industry. University of Michigan Press, 2001. Template:ISBN.
  • Soward, Stuart E. Hands to Flying Stations, a Recollective History of Canadian Naval Aviation, Volume II. Victoria, British Columbia: Neptune Developments, 1995. Template:ISBN.

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External linksEdit

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