July 21, 201015 yr From Ares No more sonobuoy launcher for MH-60R? Posted by Bettina Chavanne at 7/21/2010 7:37 AM CDT This morning at the Farnborough Air Show, U.S. Navy program manager for H-60, Capt. Dean Peters, talked about issues facing the MH-60R helicopter's sonobuoy launcher. Peters said the aircraft's Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS) worked so well during last year's deployment of the aircraft there "was not much need for the [sonobuoy] launcher." The potential exists, he says, to "take out the sonobuoy launcher," and launch fewer buoys using a different type of launch system. The goal is reduce the amount of cabin space taken up by the launcher. "We have to rethink anti-submarine warfare now that we have ALFS," says Peters. ALFS provides so much range that it might be wise to have another helicopter prosecute the mission and "have the sonar remain in the dip." It is a stretch to say this is the end of sonobuoys altogether, Peters notes, "but there is a way to reduce. We're evaluating other options to free up space and reduce cost."
July 22, 201015 yr Why does this sound like another one of those great ideas that comes back to bite you in the ... assets?
July 22, 201015 yr Why does this sound like another one of those great ideas that comes back to bite you in the ... assets? Yes, but I'm thinking in that issue from yesterday, and more time ago. I'm sure the latest dipping sonars (and sonabuoys, as SQQ-77) are convergenze zone capables, and we must reflect it in the databases. More later, now I'm going to my workplace
July 22, 201015 yr Author To be fair, its probably not so much the end of sonobuoys as it may be the end of the bulky launcher (LAU-126/A ?). The potential exists, he says, to "take out the sonobuoy launcher," and launch fewer buoys using a different type of launch system. The goal is reduce the amount of cabin space taken up by the launcher. Sonobuoys will undoubtedly still have a role to play where conditions and circumstances dictate.
July 22, 201015 yr Why does this sound like another one of those great ideas that comes back to bite you in the ... assets? Yes, but I'm thinking in that issue from yesterday, and more time ago. I'm sure the latest dipping sonars (and sonabuoys, as SQQ-77) are convergenze zone capables, and we must reflect it in the databases. More later, now I'm going to my workplace About the Convergence Zone capability of SSQ-77 VLAD: http://www.sonobuoytechsystems.com/pdfs/Q77C2-2-10.pdf Convergence zone receive beam I assume the contemporary dipping sonars are also CZ capables, but I don't find none reference
July 23, 201015 yr Author From Flight Global DATE: 22/07/10 SOURCE: Flight Daily News FARNBOROUGH: Navy looks at reducing MH-60R sonar buoys By Siva Govindasamy The US Navy is looking at substantially reducing the number of sonar buoys on board the Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky MH60R Sea Hawks to increase the helicopter's operational capabilities. "This is being considered as a follow on from the initial deployment of the Romeos, there is a feeling that there is not as much of a need for sonar buoys on board the navy's helicopters. There is the potential to either take out completely or reduce the number on board the helicopters, and both options are being considered," says Dean Peters, the USN's MH60 programme manager. The MH60R, which the navy deploys on various missions including anti-submarine warfare and combat search and rescue, has 24 sonar buoys on board. That could be reduced to as few as six if the plan goes through, says Leonard Wengler, vice-president for navy programmes at Sikorsky. "This would give the helicopter some weight and space advantages and help reduce the operating and installation costs - the sonar buoys are not cheap. If they go ahead, the navy could modify the helicopters as part of its next block upgrade programme. They are likely to look at something over the next year or so," adds Wengler. He says the modifications could also help with international competition. "Many potential customers want helicopters with greater utility capability. Reducing the number of sonar buoys would increase the amount of space in the helicopter and help to fulfil that requirement," says Wengler.
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