Go Back  PPRuNe Forums > Aircrew Forums > Rotorheads
Reload this Page >

MH-60T airframe replacement

Wikiposts
Search

Notices
Rotorheads A haven for helicopter professionals to discuss the things that affect them

MH-60T airframe replacement

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 1st December 2023 | 18:23
  #1 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 177
Likes: 123
From: Southern United States
MH-60T airframe replacement

Airframe(hull) replacement


Seems like a smart plan, they (US Coast Guard) are also adding additional airframes from the Navy to replace the H-65, from what I’ve read.

FltMech

60FltMech is offline  
Reply
Old 1st December 2023 | 21:20
  #2 (permalink)  
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 880
Likes: 225
From: Australia
Part of the Sikorsky release says:

"Sikorsky is under a $374 million contract to deliver all 45 MH-60T airframes to the Coast Guard ALC through 2027 at a rate of 12 per year".

You have to be impressed that the USCG Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) in North Carolina has the 'in-house' capability to do the work to transfer over all other components from the airframes which are reaching their life limit.
helispotter is offline  
Reply
Old 1st December 2023 | 23:07
  #3 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 177
Likes: 123
From: Southern United States
If I’m not mistaken, the initial T-model modifications were all accomplished at the same facility. They must have a Depot level capacity, and I don’t recall ever hearing of any major delays with the original program whenever it was in progress.

I was given tour of the second T-model produced a few years ago by a kind Coast Guard Flight Mechanic, seemed like a well thought out modification to suit their unique needs. What a concept!🤣
60FltMech is offline  
Reply
Old 4th January 2024 | 17:25
  #4 (permalink)  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 293
From: The Alps
standardised fleet

Originally Posted by 60FltMech
Airframe(hull) replacement


Seems like a smart plan, they (US Coast Guard) are also adding additional airframes from the Navy to replace the H-65, from what I’ve read.

FltMech
Slightly digressing, Maltese based Spotter Magazine put this up



Citing that the Coasties will start retiring some of their Dolphin fleet with long term plan to just have the MH-60T Jayhawk across the fleet. I did ask the magazine privately if they could provide a source or link for this news and to no avail.

I personally cannot see them limited to one airframe plus they're still in the process of finishing the converting the remaining D to Es. Also the cutters can take the MH-65 but not the MH-60T

cheers
chopper2004 is offline  
Reply
Old 5th January 2024 | 00:09
  #5 (permalink)  
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 173
Likes: 20
From: The 4th dimentia.....
It's true. D to E conversions of the MH-65 have stopped. Lack of spares especially magnesium gearbox housings from Airbus.
Back in 2018 USCG were promised 20 years support but in 2020 all the relevant tooling was sold to South Korea for the KAI effort. All new parts will be KAI and not type certified for MH-65 or AS365/155. Aside from all that the majority of MH-65's are around the 30k hour mark so attrition is way above estimates whereas MH-60J and not T models don't suffer such issues.
Northernstar is offline  
Reply
Old 5th January 2024 | 22:57
  #6 (permalink)  
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 481
Likes: 58
From: USA
Originally Posted by Northernstar
It's true. D to E conversions of the MH-65 have stopped. Lack of spares especially magnesium gearbox housings from Airbus.
Back in 2018 USCG were promised 20 years support but in 2020 all the relevant tooling was sold to South Korea for the KAI effort. All new parts will be KAI and not type certified for MH-65 or AS365/155. Aside from all that the majority of MH-65's are around the 30k hour mark so attrition is way above estimates whereas MH-60J and not T models don't suffer such issues.
Just like most things Airbus, after you pick the aircraft up it is obsolete and largely unsupported by the OEM.
havick is offline  
Reply
Old 6th January 2024 | 01:34
  #7 (permalink)  
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 880
Likes: 225
From: Australia
Originally Posted by havick
Just like most things Airbus, after you pick the aircraft up it is obsolete and largely unsupported by the OEM.
Poor support seems to be a more widespread issue across the industry if the lack of S92 gearboxes discussed in a separate thread is any indication.
helispotter is offline  
Reply
Old 6th January 2024 | 09:43
  #8 (permalink)  
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 173
Likes: 20
From: The 4th dimentia.....
Ask any 139 or 169 operator what lead times are like for spares? But Meloni won’t care while she pushed gov to gov sales of both (Austria, Slovenia, Greece).

Wonder if the Austrians came to the U.K. and canvassed the HEMS and VIP communities on their 169 experience what they would find out. Though given everyone seems to be under an NDA to get anything resolved AW are too keen to suppress the reality for them to realistically know.
Northernstar is offline  
Reply
Old 4th February 2024 | 15:33
  #9 (permalink)  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 293
From: The Alps
standardisation - premature retirment of MH-65??

Speaking of the MH-60T program, and acquiring more former navy H-60 Seahawk from AMARG < i saw this on Spotter Magazine on Fb last year and questioned it, I PM the MAlta based magazine and asked for link to an article or news release but they never got back.



AFAIK, none of the cutters, even the new ones can take on the Jayhawk, but happy to be proven wrong?

any thoughts please?

cheers
chopper2004 is offline  
Reply
Old 4th February 2024 | 15:46
  #10 (permalink)  
Thread Starter
 
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 177
Likes: 123
From: Southern United States
I found this article a minute ago, discusses embarking a USN MH-60R aboard a Coast Guard Legend class National Security cutter, which appears to be the largest cutter they operate:

War Zone

FltMech


60FltMech is offline  
Reply
Old 18th April 2024 | 20:53
  #11 (permalink)  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 293
From: The Alps
GAO report

Interesting findings from the

Coast Guard:Aircraft Fleet and Aviation Workforce Assessments Needed

GAO-24-106374
https://www.gao.gov/products/gao-24-106374

Especially 'However, the Coast Guard has not fully assessed whether this transition will result in the type and quantity of helicopters needed to meet its mission demands. For example, it has not conducted an analysis of alternatives—an analytical study comparing the operational effectiveness, costs, and risks—to determine the best suited aircraft to meet mission needs. Assessing different helicopters using such an analysis would help the Coast Guard determine the best alternative to replace its short-range helicopter. Additionally, a fleet mix analysis would help ensure it identifies the necessary number of helicopters it requires to meet its mission demands.'

cheers
chopper2004 is offline  
Reply
Old 6th February 2025 | 08:40
  #12 (permalink)  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,534
Likes: 293
From: The Alps
Commandant Dismissal

Of the many reasons supposedly that led to the dismissing of commandant the helo programs..

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicop...161460.article

Wonder how things gonna pan out under the new administration....now

1) Will there be accelerated retirement of the Dolphin fleet (thinking along the POTUS being its all american or nothing)

2) Another type procured?

3) Left as it is

cheers





chopper2004 is offline  
Reply
Old 6th February 2025 | 08:49
  #13 (permalink)  
40 Countries Visited
15 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,761
Likes: 385
Could a maritime Lakota work for them?
Less Hair is online now  
Reply
Old 6th February 2025 | 13:39
  #14 (permalink)  
5 Anniversary
 
Joined: Oct 2016
Posts: 168
Likes: 4
From: NW
sounds like a competitor to me.
Mee3 is offline  
Reply
Old 6th February 2025 | 15:30
  #15 (permalink)  
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 146
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville AL
Less Hair,

I would think the Lakota would work well in many ways as it is a comparable size but.....they don't seem to do well with regard to corrosion. It may not be an achilles heal but it would take a bit of work to keep up with it as there is lots of areas that don't have much corrosion preventative coatings on it.

Max
maxtork is offline  
Reply

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.