US Navy adds digital rocket launchers to MH-60R
The US Navy is equipping its MH-60R Seahawk helicopters with Digital Rocket Launchers (DRLs), US Naval Air Systems Command announced on 7 April 2015. The rocket launchers will better enable the aircraft to protect against threats posed by fast attack craft (FAC)/fast inshore attack craft (FIAC).
The navy delivered the DRLs in March as part of an Early Operational Capability (EOC). A rapid deployment capability team was challenged to complete the project within 12 months after integrating DRLs on MH-60S helicopters in 2014.
The DRL is currently deployed on MH-60S aircraft with Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 15. The Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 71 will be the first MH-60R squadron to deploy with the DRL. The navy plans to outfit all MH-60R squadrons by the end of 2018.
Capt. Craig Grubb, PMA-299 programme manager, US navy, said: 'We reached EOC on our threshold aircraft, the MH-60S, last year, and this year we're on time again for our objective platform, the MH-60R.
'Ultimately, the capability was provided on schedule and under budget.'
D'Ann Morris, co-lead of MH-60 Weapons integrated product team, PMA-299 said: 'The DRL enables the MH-60R to carry the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System.
'This allows for a greater number of precision guided munitions to be used against the threat during a single attack. So not only do we reduce the number of attacks needed to accomplish a given mission, but we decrease operational cost, increase warfighting effectiveness, and enhance crew safety.'
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