The capability of the helicopter to operate from a ship deck, hover for long periods of time and fly the nape of the sea to avoid radar detection make them invaluable for maritime role. The earlier traditional roles were reconnaissance, search and rescue (SAR), and medical evacuation. With the ever increasing capability of the helicopter and continuous improvement in the mission system-integrated sensor suite the role has further expanded to anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and electronic warfare (EW). Thus a naval multi-role helicopter (MRH) has the flexibility of being employed for any role as required by the mission. The MRH’s electro-optical/sonar suite thus becomes more complex as it provides navigation, situational awareness, target data, weapon guidance and EW capability. In spite of modern networked sensors, extensive use of satellite resources, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and US Navy’s broad area maritime surveillance system based on navalised Global Hawk, the MRH still remains the fleet’s “eyes and ears beyond the horizon”.

Multi-role Helicopter

Kamov: The Russian Kamov Ka-27 helicopter was developed for the Russian Navy to carry out ASW and ferry troops. Like other Kamov military helicopters, it has a coaxial rotor, removing the need for a tail rotor. It is in service in many countries including Russia, Republic of China and India. It also carries radar, magnetic anomaly detection system or dipping sonar. Kamov Ka-28 helicopter is designed to search, detect, track, and engage surfaced and submerged submarines. The later version Ka-28 is capable of undertaking long-endurance ASW missions with no reference waypoints, in all-weather conditions, at a range of over 200 km, at a sea state of up to five. The helicopter can be configured to operate in search, search/attack or attack variants. The helicopter’s avionics suite includes an integrated flight navigation system and a sighting system which provides all weather navigation, submarine detection, weapons control, return flight to the mother ship and landing approach.

Sikorsky: Sea Hawk series is a multi-mission US Navy helicopter based on the US Army UH-60 Black Hawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The US Navy uses the H-60 airframe under the model designations SH-60B, SH-60F, HH-60H, MH-60R and MH-60S which can be deployed aboard any air-capable ship. The Seahawk can be employed for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, naval special warfare insertion, search and rescue, combat search and rescue (CSAR), vertical replenishment and medical evacuation. All Navy H-60s carry a rescue hoist for SAR/CSAR missions. MH-60R is equipped for multiple roles including ASW, anti-surface warfare, SAR, naval gunfire support, surveillance, communications relay, logistics support, personnel transfer and vertical replenishment. For ASW missions, the helicopter is equipped with a sonobuoy launcher and a Raytheon AN/AQS-22 advanced airborne lowfrequency dipping sonar; Raytheon AN/AAS-44 detecting/tracking system, which includes forward-looking infrared and laser rangefinder; radar is the Telephonics AN/APS-147 multi-mode radar which has inverse synthetic aperture imaging and periscope, and small target detection capability. For countermeasures, it is fitted with Lockheed Martin’s AN/ALQ-210 electronic support measures system. Electronic warfare systems include the ATK AN/ AAR-47 missile warner, laser warning system, BAE Systems’ AN/ALQ-144 infrared jammer; BAE Systems’ AN/ALE-39 chaff and flare decoy dispenser.

European NH90: NH Industries’ design makes extensive use of composite materials instead of riveted metal alloy plates, which makes NH90 helicopter lighter and reduces routine maintenance and corrosion issues. Electronic fly-by-wire systems also contribute to the lift capacity, by saving the weight of heavy power boosted hydraulic control systems. The NH90 is produced in two variants; namely tactical transport helicopter (NH90 TTH) for troops and the NATO Frigate Helicopter (NH90 NFH) for naval utility and anti-submarine. The NH90 NFH naval variant can be used as either utility helicopters or in ASW role. ASW helicopters add naval radar, dipping sonar and sonobuoys and up to two missiles or torpedoes on side pylons.

Indian Perspective

Immediate Requirement of MRH: The Indian Navy has floated a request for proposal (RFP) on globally renowned contenders, United Technology’s Sikorsky S-70B and the European NH-90 for 16 plus eight (as an option clause) MRHs as replacement for Seaking 42 and 42A which have already been phased out in 1990 -91.

Additional Requirement— NMRH

In order to augment the naval multi-role helicopter (NMRH) fleet for the ships and the Air Squadrons ashore which were commissioned from 1997 onwards, as also to equip the ships which will be commissioned as per the Fourteenth Naval Plan until 2020, Indian Navy has initiated the procurement process. To induct multi-role helicopters for anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and Special Forces’ operations, etc. Request for information (RFI) has been issued to procure 123 NMRH was initiated nearly two years ago. RFI for NMRH stipulated the requirements for the rotary-wing to be capable of performing all the specified roles with common airframe, engines, avionics as for MRH, and be capable of changing roles with ease.

RFI: The salient aspects of the RFI stipulate, “The NMRH should be of contemporary design with modern, reliable and fuel-efficient engines and fully integrated advanced avionics and weapons suite employing the latest concepts for detection, identification, classification of surface and subsurface targets along with the ability to detect air targets.” In addition, the helicopter should have the air-to-air refuelling capability to enhance both its endurance and reach at sea.

The RFI called for helicopters is for the helicopters to have a maximum all-up weight of between 9 tonnes and 12.5 tonnes. The NMRH, which will be expected to serve for 30 years, should have the capacity for 10 per cent weight growth throughout its service life without affecting its operational role. The secondary roles expected of the aircraft, include electronic intelligence, SAR, external cargo carrying, casualty evacuation and CSAR. The offered helicopters should be capable of operating from ships as small as the Godavari class frigates. The helicopters should be equipped with sound wing folding mechanism to be able to fit in the ship’s hangars of length 15.5 metres, width 5.5 metres and height of 5.3 metres. In its primary roles of ASW and anti surface warfare, the aircraft should be capable of autonomously locating and destroying submarines, compiling an integrated picture of the situation above and below the surface, and operating in all-weather conditions. For its secondary role for special operations, the aircraft should be fitted out to carry unguided rockets and guns.