The most significant modifications are the folding main rotor blades and a hinged tail to reduce its footprint aboard ships.

Able to deploy aboard any air-capable frigate, destroyer, cruiser, fast combat support ship, expeditionary transfer dock, amphibious assault ship, littoral combat ship or aircraft carrier, the Seahawk can handle anti-submarine warfare (ASW), anti-surface warfare (ASUW), naval special warfare (NSW) insertion, search and rescue (SAR), combat search and rescue (CSAR), vertical replenishment (VERTREP), and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC).

[3] The SH-2 Seasprite was used by the Navy as its platform for the Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) Mark I avionics suite for maritime warfare and a secondary search and rescue capability.

In 1974, the Navy conducted a competition to develop the Lamps MK III concept, which would integrate both the aircraft and shipboard systems.

In the mid-1970s, the Army evaluated the Sikorsky YUH-60 and Boeing Vertol YUH-61 for its Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) competition.

[4] The Navy based its requirements on the Army's UTTAS specification, to decrease costs from commonality as the new airframe to carry the Lamps MK III avionics.

[3] In April 1977, Sikorsky and Boeing-Vertol submitted proposals for Navy versions of their Army UTTAS helicopters for review.

[6] An emergency flotation system was originally installed in the stub wing fairings of the main landing gear.

It carries a complex system of sensors, including a towed magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) and air-launched sonobuoys.

Other sensors include the APS-124 search radar, ALQ-142 ESM system and optional nose-mounted forward looking infrared (FLIR) turret.

[citation needed] The SH-60F primarily served as the carrier battle group's primary antisubmarine warfare (ASW) aircraft.

Engine exhaust deflectors provide infrared thermal reduction, reducing the threat of heat-seeking missiles.

[citation needed] The MH-60R "Romeo" was originally known as "LAMPS Mark III Block II Upgrade" when development began in 1993 with Lockheed Martin, formerly IBM/Loral.

[15] Its avionics includes dual controls and instead of the complex array of dials and gauges in Bravo and Foxtrot aircraft, 4 fully integrated 8" x 10" night vision goggle-compatible and sunlight-readable color multi-function displays, all part of glass cockpit produced by Owego Helo Systems division of Lockheed Martin.

[25] Unlike all other Navy H-60s, the MH-60S is not based on the original S-70B/SH-60B platform, with its forward-mounted twin tail-gear and single starboard sliding cabin door.

A "batwing" Armed Helo Kit based on the Army's UH-60L was developed to accommodate Hellfire missiles, Hydra 70 2.75 inch rockets, or larger guns.

The MH-60S can be equipped with a nose-mounted forward looking infrared (FLIR) turret to be used in conjunction with Hellfire missiles.

[23] The MH-60S was to be used for mine clearing from littoral combat ships, but testing found it lacks the power to safely tow the detection equipment.

[29] In August 2014, the U.S. Navy forward deployed the Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS) to the U.S. 5th Fleet.

The ALMDS is a sensor system designed to detect, classify, and localize floating and near-surface moored mines in littoral zones, straits, and choke points.

The ALMDS beams a laser into the water to pick up reflections from things it bounces off of, then uses that data to produce a video image for ground personnel to determine if the object is a mine.

[30] The MH-60S will utilize the BAE Systems Archerfish remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to seek out and destroy naval mines from the air.

Selected as a concept in 2003 by the Navy as part of the Airborne Mine Neutralization System (AMNS) program and developed since 2007, the Archerfish is dropped into the water from its launch cradle, where its human operator remotely guides it down towards the mine using a fiber optics communications cable that leads back up to the helicopter.

Using sonar and low-light video, it locates the mine, and is then instructed to shoot a shaped charge explosive to detonate it.

[39] In February 2011, India selected the S-70B over the NHIndustries NH90 for an acquisition of 16 multirole helicopters for the Indian Navy to replace its aging Westland Sea King fleet.

[48][49][50] On 24 August 2024, Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) approved a possible order worth $52.8 million for sonobuoys and related equipment.

[89] In early 2015, Israel ordered eight ex-Navy SH-60Fs to support the expansion of the Israeli Navy surface fleet for ASW, ASuW and SAR roles.

[93] In April 2018, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency received U.S. State Department approval and notified Congress of a possible sale to Mexican Navy of eight MH-60Rs, spare engines, and associated systems.

The U.S. government decided to reallocate three MH-60Rs originally destined for the U.S. Navy to the Norwegian Coast Guard, with an estimated delivery in the summer of 2025.

[99] Data from Brassey's World Aircraft & Systems Directory,[118] Navy fact file,[27] Sikorsky S-70B brochure[119] Sikorsky MH-60R brochure,[120] NATOPS Flight Manual[121]General characteristics Performance Armament Related development Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era