Manufacturer: Sikorsky
Service: USCG Armament: 1x 7.62mm M240J machine gun; 7.62mm shoulder-fired precision weapon Propulsion: 2x GE T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines Max Speed: 180 knots Range: 700 nautical milesThe MH-60 is an all weather, medium-range helicopter (specialized for search and recovery) similar to the Navy MH-60R and MH-60S Seahawk, with its basic roots in the Army H-60 Blackhawk. The service began to operate the MH-60J in 1990 as a replacement to the now-retired HH-3F Pelican, and it is typically operated by a crew of four. The last unit operating the MH-60J is CGAS Clearwater. They are currently completing the MH-60J to MH-60T transition which will be completed in May 2013.
There are 42 total MH-60s in the Coast Guard air fleet, with 35 in operational use, most of which have undergone the MH-60T conversion since 2008. Seven H-60s are at various levels of depot maintenance and MH-60T upgrade at the Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, NC. The MH-60T upgrade consist of a Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS). CAAS is an integrated "glass" cockpit which provides updated avionics and integrated Electro-optical Sensor System with recording capability via a removable memory module. CAAS also replaces legacy radios with the AN/ARC 210, ARC 220 and the RT-5000/SAR radios.
The MH-60 is located at seven Coast Guard and ATC Mobile Air Stations, equipped with sensors and equipment for search and rescue missions. Four H-60 units Maintain Airborne Use of Force (AUF) and all of the MH-60s are AUF equipped.
