Mitsubishi H-60

The Mitsubishi H-60 series is twin-turbo shaft engine helicopter based on the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter family for use by the Japan Self-Defence Forces.

The SH-60JK are anti-submarine patrol versions for the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force.

The UH-60J is a search and rescue version for the Japan Air Self-Defence Forces and JMSDF.

The UH-60JA is a utility version for the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force.

SH-60J

The JMSDF chose S-70B as the successor of to the Mitsubishi HSS-2B Sea King (a licence-built version of the Sikorsky Sea King).

When the SH-X (later SH-60J) project started, it was immediately after HSS-2B was put into service, so initially it was planned to integrate a mission system of HSS-2B with a bare aircraft of SH-60B, but finally a system newly developed by the TRDI was adopted.

It is similar to LAMPS Mk.III in that helicopter is equipped with a computer and connected to the mothership’s combat direction system via a datalink, but it also has a dipping sonar as well as SH-60F.

The Defence Agency ordered two XSH-60Js from Sikorsky for $27 million.

Their first flights were on 31 August and in October 1987.

The Defence Agency designated the model SH-60J.

They were fitted with Japanese avionics systems and tested by the JMSDF.

The SH-60J is built in Japan under license from Sikorsky.

It began deliveries in August 1991 and entered service thereafter.

Based on a concept of the JMSDF, HQS-103 Dipping Sonar, HPS-104 active electronically scanned array Search Radar, and HLR-108 ESM System equipment of the avionics of SH-60B be different.

The engine is the GE/IHI T700-IHI-701C turboshaft, which Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries produced under license from General Electric. It is a hybrid of the SH-60B and SH-60F, except for avionics.

The crew includes a pilot, co-pilot and sensor operator.

The co-pilot can concentrate on the role of tactical coordinator with the help of the Automatic Flight Management System and Inertial Navigation system.

Over 100 SH-60Js have been produced by 2007.

SH-60K

The SH-60K is an upgraded version of the SH-60J.

The SH-60K anti-submarine helicopter which strengthened performance and versatility for the JMSDF.

Mitsubishi began development in 1997.

The SH-60K has formerly known as SH-60Kai.

The Director General of the Defence Agency admitted adoption in March 2005.

Mitsubishi developed new main rotor blade, Ship Landing Assist System, new avionics system, and other systems.

Two prototypes SH-60Ks were built by modifying SH-60Js.

These prototypes were completed and delivered by June 2002.

The SH-60K’s cabin was expanded in length by 30 cm (11.8 in) and in height by 15 cm (5.91 in) compared to the SH-60J.

The larger cabin allows for the new avionics system.

Those and the airframe changes are compensated by the exchange of the T700-IHI-401C2 engine.

The first production SH-60K was delivered to JMSDF on 10 August 2005.

A total of 50 SH-60Ks are being supplied under new production.

SH-60L

A further upgrade version of SH-60K has planned and in development.

It will be equipped with a multi-static sonar system and a new adaptive control millimetric wave ultra-high-speed communication system (Click System) as well as improved engine transmission performance.

The first flight of the prototype, XSH-60L, was carried out on May 11, 2021.

UH-60J

In 1988, the Japan Air Self-Defence Force choose the UH-60L to replace its KV-107 and Sikorsky S-62 helicopters.

The first aircraft was built by Sikorsky, with the company designation S-70A-12, and two more were assembled by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

Mitsubishi is producing the remaining UH-60Js under license.

The Japan Marine Self-Defence Force also chose Search and rescue, and utility helicopters to replace the S-61A in 1989.

The UH-60J is powered by T700 engines license-built by Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries in Japan.

It features external fuel tanks, an external rescue winch, a Japan-built radar, a FLIR turret in the nose and bubble side windows for observers.

The Japan Air Self-Defence Force machines were fitted with T700-IHI-701A engines, while Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force machines were fitted with marinized T700-IHI-401C engines.

Fuel tanks can be attached to pylons on stub wings.

The UH-60Js began deliveries in 1991 and entered service in 1992.

A total of 40 UH-60Js were in service in 2010.

The JASDF ordered 40 newer UH-60Js in December 2010 to begin replacing older UH-60Js.

Mitsubishi and Sikorsky have teamed in support of the Self Defence Force’s mission requirements.

The UH-60J+ incorporates various upgrades for the modern SAR mission.

By 2006 Defence budget of Japan, UH-60Js begin addition of Refuelling probe in 2009.

These UH-60Js completed training with the United States Air Force and widened their activity in SAR mission.

UH-60JA

The Japan Ground Self-Defence Force ordered a utility variant of the UH-60L designated UH-60JA in 1995.

The JGSDF began receiving the UH-60JA in 1997.

It features improved avionics, including FLIR, Colour weather radar, GPS receiver, a Night Vision Goggle compatible cockpit and wire cutter.

The JGSDF plans to acquire 70.

The JGSDF plan was to replace its UH-1H helicopters which had become obsolete.

Due to budgetary constraints, it was decided to replace the rotary wing fleet with a high-low combination of UH-60JA and UH-1J (an updated UH-1H) with the UH-60JA being the high and the UH-1J the low.

By 2004 the budgetary constraints have driven the JGSDF to seriously consider eliminating either the UH-60JA or the UH-1J from the fleet and purchasing just one type of airframe for the utility mission.

Variants

S-70B-2

Version purchased from Sikorsky for research by the Defence Agency.　

XSH-60J

Prototype for SH-60J. 2 XSH-60Js were exported by Sikorsky.

SH-60J

Seahawk version for the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force produced by Mitsubishi under license.

UH-60J

Rescue helicopter license produced by Mitsubishi for the Japan Air Self-Defence Force and the Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force.

UH-60JA

Utility version for the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force based on the UH-60J.

USH-60K

Among two prototypes, one was redesignated as evaluation type.

SH-60K

Improved version of SH-60J.

Trial manufacture finished in 2001, and deliveries began in August 2005.

SH-60L

Improved version of SH-60K.

Development began in 2015, delivery began in 2022.

Specifications

Crew

3 flight crew + mission crew of up to 9 (SH-60J/K)

Length

19.8 m (65 ft 0 in) including rotor

Height

5.2 m (17 ft 1 in)

Max take-off weight

9,750 kg (21,495 lb)

Powerplant

2 × IHI Corporation-General Electric T700-IHI-401C turbo shaft engines,

1,342 kW (1,800 hp) each

Main rotor diameter

16.4 m (53 ft 10 in)

Main rotor area

211.26 m2 (2,274.0 sq ft)

Blade section

Root

SC1095/SC1095R8

Tip

Sikorsky SC1095

Performance

Maximum speed

265 km/h (165 mph, 143 kn)

Range

584 km (363 mi, 315 nmi)

Service ceiling

5,790 m (19,000 ft)

Armament

2 × Mark 46 torpedo

1 × 7.62 mm (.30 in) Type 74 machine gun

Type 74 torpedo

Type 12 torpedo

AGM-114 Hellfire

Depth charge

Avionics

Japanese HPS-105 search radar

Japanese ring laser AHRS

Japanese automatic FMS

Japanese datalink

Japanese tactical processor

Japanese display sub-system.

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