Specifications

Mission Standard Equipment

The following systems and equipment are always on board the aircraft during tactical missions:

• AN/AAQ-16 Forward Looking Infra Red. The AN/AAQ-16 (3 FOV) is a second generation, long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) imaging system for airborne navigation, surveillance, and targeting applications. With three fields of view available, pilots can fly and navigate on low-level missions or detect and identify long-range targets from higher altitudes. The AN/AAQ-16 consists of one turreted FLIR sensor mounted under the nose of the aircraft and one interface module which allows the display of the FLIR sensor on any of the Multi Function Displays in the cockpit.

• AN/AAR-47 Missile Approach Warning System. The AN/AAR-47 Missile Approach Warning System (MAWS) is a passive, missile-approach warning system which warns of threat missile approach by detecting radiation associated with the rocket motor and automatically initiates flare ejection. Detection algorithms are used to discriminate against non-approaching radiation sources. The Warning System provides attacking missile declaration and sector direction finding and will be interfaced directly to the AN/ALE-47 countermeasures dispenser. The AN/AAR-47 consists of four sensor assemblies housed in two or more sensor domes, a central processing unit, and a control indicator.

• AN/ALE-47 Countermeasures Dispenser System. The AN/ALE-47 Countermeasure Dispenser System is an integrated, reprogrammable, computer controlled system to dispense expendables/decoys, designed to employ electronic and infrared countermeasures according to a program developed and implemented by the aircrew. The AN/ALE-47 provides the aircrew with a "smart" countermeasures dispensing system, allowing the aircrew to optimize the countermeasures employed against anti-aircraft threats.

• AN/ALQ-136(v)2 Pulse Radar Jammer. The AN/ALQ-136 CMS is an airborne, automatic, electronic radar jammer designed to defeat/degrade the tracking capability of hostile threat pulse radar. When threat signals are identified and verified, jamming automatically begins and continues until the threat radar signal is no longer detected. The CMS then ceases jamming but continues to receive and analyze radar signals. The AN/ALQ-136(v)2 CMS is programmed to respond to the pulse radar signals of the most critical threat weapon systems anticipated to be encountered in the hostile environment. The AN/ALQ-136(v)2 CMS is designed for the Special Electronics Mission Aircraft (SEMA) and the Special Operations Aircraft (SOA) -- RC-12, MH-47E, MH-60K, EH-60A. This CMS is programmed to respond to the pulse radar signals of the most critical threat weapon system anticipated to be encountered by SEMA and SOA in a hostile environment. It can operate against multiple threat weapons systems simultaneously. It has programmable modules, covers a broader frequency range than the (v)1 CMS and has built-in preplanned product improvement capabilities. The AN/ALQ-136(V)2 CMS consists of one receiver/transmitter (RT) assembly, one control indicator assembly and four antennas.

• AN/ALQ-144A(v)1 Countermeasures Set. The AN/ALQ-144A(v)1 system is an omni-directional active infrared Countermeasures Set which protects the aircraft from air-to-air and ground-to-air heat seeking (infrared) missiles. The airborne installed system included in this family of equipment are designed to provide jamming of threat IR missile systems. They are active, continuous operating, omni-directional, electrically fuel-fired IR jamming systems designed to confuse or decoy threat IR missile systems. The AN/ALQ-144A(V)1 CMS is designed to provide jamming of all known IR threat missile systems when operated on helicopters equipped with low reflective paint and engine exhaust suppressors. The AN/ALQ-144A(v)1 CMS consists of a transmitter assembly and an operator control unit.

• AN/ALQ-162(v)4 Continuous Wave Radar Jammer. The AN/ALQ-162(v)4 CMS provides automatic radar jamming against surface-to-air and airborne intercept missiles that use continuous wave (CW) radar for guidance. When the CW signals detected by the CMS are validated, jamming is initiated. The specific action taken by the MS is determined by the jamming thresholds programmed into the CMS. The AN/ALQ-162(v)4 is designed to intercept and process Continuous Wave (CW) signals, and upgrades under evaluation include responses to pulse doppler radars. Jamming signals are produced in various formats to counter threat signals. The system is operated via a control panel located in the aircraft cockpit and can be used for stand-alone operation or in conjunction with a RWR which supplies threat identification signals. The AN/ALQ-162(v)4 CMS consists of one receiver/transmitter and one antenna.

• AN/APQ-174 Multi Mode Radar. The AN/APQ-174 Multi-Mode Radar (MMR) family provides terrain following and terrain avoidance for a wide variety of military aircraft. The MMR allows safe flight down to a 100-ft set clearance at night, in adverse weather, and in high-threat environments. It lowers the probability of detection by enemy forces and increases mission success through terrain masking and minimizing time spent in threat range. It reduces risk to the aircrew and the aircraft by balancing the low-level terrain clearance altitude with flight safety considerations. The AN/APQ-174 consists of one external pod mounted radar reciever/transmitter, and a control unit allowing the display of radar readouts on any of the Multi Function Displays in the cockpit.

• AN/APR-39A(v)1 Radar Warning Reciever. The AN/APR-39 Digital Threat Warning System monitors the environment for pulsed radar signals, characterize and identify them, and alert the crew to the existence of emitters. The AN/APR-39A(v)1 contributes to full-dimensional protection by improving individual aircraft probability of survival through improved aircrew situational awareness of the electromagnetic threat environment. The AN/APR-39A(v)1 system utilizes a digital processor, alphanumeric display and a synthetic voice to provide warning of radar directed air defense threat systems. The AN/APR-39A(v)1 consists of one control unit, one indicator, one processor, two identical receivers, two left spiral antennas, two right spiral antennas and one blade antenna.

• AN/ARS-6(v)1 Personnel Locator System.The AN/ARS-6(V) provides selected Army aircraft with the capability to perform the combat search and rescue mission for rescue of downed aircrew members without detection. It provides the rescue aircraft's pilot/co-pilot with the relative position (direction and range) of the grounded survivor equipped with an AN/PRC-112. The AN/ARS-6(V) radio can be used to navigate the rescue aircraft and to locate or retrieve Army personnel involved in special operations and other combat or peacetime situations. It also provides the capability to home to any continuous wave signal in its frequency range.

• M130 General Purpose Dispenser. The M130 general purpose dispenser system provides effective survival countermeasures against radar guided weapon systems and/or infrared seeking missile threats. A single M130 can disperse either 30 decoy flares or 30 chaff cartridges. Additional dispenser assemblies and payload modules will increase the capability of the dispenser system. The system can be operated manually or automatically cued by the AN/AAR-47 missile detector. The chaff, combined with maneuvers, provides protection against radar directed anti-aircraft weapon systems. When dispensing chaff, the M130 allows the aircraft time to maneuver out of the beam of radar used with anti-aircraft weapons. The flare decoy, when properly dispensed, provides protection against infrared (IR) homing missiles. When dispensing flare decoys, the M130 and AN/AAR-47 combination provides for the reduction or elimination of the enemy's ability to hit and destroy the MH-60K by the use of IR homing missiles. The M130 General Purpose Dispenser is electrically powered and constructed of modules to facilitate quick replacement. The M130 Dispenser consists of a dispenser assembly, payload module assembly, electronics module and dispenser control panel.

• Rescue Winch. The Eastern-Breeze hydraulic hoist capable of lifting 270 Kg / 600 lbs with 60 m / 200 ft of usable cable. Primary control is by the crew chief/hoist operator using a hand held pendant.

• SATCOM. The Ultra High Frequency Satellite Communications (UHF SATCOM) System provides communication links, via satellite, between designated mobile units and shore sites worldwide. The UHF SATCOM system is one of three SATCOM systems installed and operates in the UHF range. The SATCOM systems, combined, represent a composite of information exchange systems that use the satellites as relays for communications and control as well as quality monitoring subsystems that provide data to manage satellite resources. The UHF SATCOM system provides multichannel satellite transmission and reception and is comprised of two distinct, but related, subsystems: UHF SATCOM receiving set and UHF SATCOM transceivers.

• AAR - Air to Air Refueling. The MH-60K is fitted with a retractable AAR probe which allows for extended range by refueling in-flight from any MC/KC-130 tanker aircraft.

Mission Flexible Equipment

 The following systems and equipment are optional, and can be installed or removed to suit the mission: 

• ETS - Extended Tank System. Consists of two 870 liter / 230 gallon jettison-able fuel tanks that can be mounted on the External Tank System for long range deployment of the aircraft. Use of the ETS restricts usage of the M134 miniguns and specific configuration may be limited by centre-of-gravity or maximum gross weight limitations, and/or ambient conditions.

• IAFS - Internal Auxiliary Fuel System. Consisting of up to 4x 568 liter / 150 gallon fuel cells, the IAFS greatly increases the ferry range of the MH-60K. Each IAFS fuel cell increases the flight endurance by approximately 50 minutes. The maximum number of additional fuel cells may be limited by ambient conditions and weight limitations. With 4x IAFS fuel cells installed the usable cabin space inside the aircraft is reduced to almost zero.

• FRIES - Fast Rope Insertion/Extraction System. Whilst the twin FRIES bars are permanently attached to the roof of the cargo cabin, the ropes are optional. As well as the 44mm diameter "Fast Rope" regular climbing rope can be attached to the FRIES bar to allow operators to abseil or rappel from the cargo cabin.

• Cargo Hook. Mounted on the belly of the aircraft, below the main rotor, the hook is capable of supporting external loads of up to 4,080 Kg / 9,000 lbs. The use of the cargo hook and the maximum external load it can carry may be limited by ambient conditions and weight limitations. It is also not common for the 160^TH MH-60's to perform external sling-load operations. Such operations are usually undertaken by the MH-47 aircraft.

Aircraft Armament

The MH-60K has various options for offensive armament providing the aircraft with greater survivability in hostile environments.

Standard Weaponry 

• M134 7.62mm Minigun. The MH-60K is fitted with 2x M134 "miniguns" pintle mounted in the forward gunner/crew chief doors. The M134 was designed to provide a light weight high rate of fire armament package for use on helicopters and light fixed-wing aircraft. The M134 is a crew served, electrically driven, 6 barreled, rotary action, percussion fired weapon, with a maximum rate of fire of 6000 rounds per minute. In the current crew served application the rate of fire is selectable at either 2000 or 4000 rounds per minute. The components that make up the M134 gun system consist of a gun control assembly with electrical cables, gun drive motor, a MAU-201/A or a MAU-56 delinking feeder, flexible ammunition feed chutes and an ammunition storage system. The basic ammunition storage system has a capacity of 4000 rounds of linked 7.62mm percussion primed ammunition, the MH-60K carries one ammunition storage system per M134, giving the aircraft a total of 8,000 rounds of ready ammunition for its M134's.