Naval Station Norfolk, Va. (Oct. 1, 2004) - Eight MH-60S Knighthawk helicopters assigned to the "Chargers" of Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Six (HC-6), line-up in formation to land at Naval Station Norfolk, Va., during a multi-aircraft training exercise. HC-6 recently transitioned to the MH-60S Knighthawk after flying the H-46 Sea Knight helicopter.

The MH-60S Naval Hawk is designed to support the Navy�s Helicopter Master Plan and meet Fleet Combat Support Aircraft mission requirements. The MH-60S is an amalgam of the Sikorsky UH-60L BLACK HAWK helicopter and its Navy variant, the SH-60B SEAHAWK. The BLACK HAWK airframe provides the larger cabin volume and features required for cargo and passenger transport, and the SEAHAWK offers unique naval capabilities required to operate aboard ship. MH-60S helicopter missions include Combat Search and Rescue, Special Warfare Support and Airborne Mine Countermeasures, where it will be outfitted with a variety of systems to further serve the fleet.

MH-60S DESCRIPTION
Four crew plus 13 passenger seats
Two standard navy pallets
Internal cargo handling
Navy common cockpit

NAVAL SH-60 FEATURES
Auto main rotor fold
Folding tail pylon
Folding stabilator
Transmission/drive Train
Flight controls
Automatic Flight Control
Computer (AFCC)
Cockpit doors
Environmental Control System (ECS)
Two T700-GE-401C engines
Rescue hoist
Pressure refueling
HIFR Fuel dump

UH-60L FEATURES
BLACK HAWK airframe
Dual cabin doors
9000 lb cargo hook
Aft avionics access door
Gunners windows
Wire strike system
Hover IR Suppressor (HIRSS)
Provisions for External Stores
Support System (ESSS)

MISSION FEATURES
Dual white/IR searchlights
EL formation lights
Emergency egress lighting
Enlarged cargo hook door
AAS-44 FLIR structural
provisions Heads-up Display (HUD)
Downed Aircrew Locator
System (DALS)
Windshield washer system

MISSIONS
Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP)
Vertical Onboard Delivery (VOD)
Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR)
Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW)
Search and Rescue (SAR)
Airhead operations
Special Warfare Support
Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM)
Torpedo, drone, Unmanned
Aerial Vehicle (UAV)
Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) recovery
Aeromedical evacuation (MEDEVAC)
Non-combatant Evacuation Operations (NEO)
Disaster relief