Nick, the SH-60s I flew at HSL40 in the late 80s had them. Then the standoffs came and something comes to mind about removing them in the end to put something 'useful' on like guns, missiles and the like.....The RAN S70B2s have definately retained them although in this day and age, some conformal units along the fuselage would be nice to eliminate the possible hinderance of the guys in the front. While I'm on a shopping spree, how about some externally mounted ejectable life rafts?
The floats were never intended to keep the aircraft afloat but were to give the crew more time to get out. HEEDS I think has saved many aircrew in the USN and the RAN guys train in the HUET with the HEEDS...amazing to see how people relax when they know they have a few sucks of air there if they need it. I don't know if the Army guys train with the HEEDS or carry them (mad if they didn't).