Fact File: the Kaman SH-2 Seasprite LAMPS I

[Matt Wiser]

The U.S. Navy's primary light ASW Helo in the war-and the most prolific killer of Soviet subs: the Kaman SH-2:


The SH-2 Seasprite in World War III



The Kaman SH-2 Sea Sprite was the U.S. Navy's primary ASW helicopter flying from destroyers and frigates during the Third World War, despite being supplanted by the Sikorsky SH-60B during the war. Originally produced as a utility helicopter designated UH-2A with a single engine, the upgraded UH-2B had twin engines, and variants for Combat SAR and for base SAR were also developed, the HH-2C and HH-2D. The Navy's need for an interim ASW helicopter for operation from destroyers and frigates led to the LAMPS I program, and Kaman won initially with the SH-2D, before the SH-2F arrived in the early '70s. Existing airframes were converted to the F configuration, along with new production beginning in 1981, before the definitive SH-2G appeared in the closing months of the war and after. Though out of USN service since 2001, the aircraft continues to serve with foreign customers today.


Variants:

UH-2A: Initial production version for utility work, originally configured for day VFR only, but later gained full IFR capability. Single GE T58-GE-8 Turboshaft engine.

UH-2B: Improved utility version with two GE T58-GE-8B engines.

HH-2C: Combat SAR version with GE T58-GE-8F engines, four-bladed tail rotor, and twin wheeled landing gear. Fitted with armor and two M-60 machine guns or two M-134 Miniguns, or one of each. Rescue hoist fitted as standard.

HH-2D: SAR version with no provision for guns or armor: used primarily for local SAR near Naval Air Stations.

SH-2D: Initial ASW version with 20 converted from UH-2, replaced by SH-2F.

SH-2F: LAMPS I version, with two GE T58-GE-8F engines and four-bladed main rotor. Fitted with LN-66 radar, TI AN/ASQ-81(V)2 MAD, sonobuoy launcher for fifteen sonobuoys, underfuselage cargo hook and rescue hoist. Usual armament two Mark-46 or Mark-50 torpedoes (postwar), or one torpedo and one auxiliary fuel tank. Fitted for, but not usually with, one door-mounted M-60 machine gun. Originally procured via CILOP of existing airframes, but production line reopened in 1981, and continued in production during the war.

SH-2G: Final version, originally competed against SH-60, but developed to give those ships not capable of SH-60 operations continued ASW aviation assets. Two GE T700-GE-401 engines, digital avionics, capable of carrying not only torpedoes, but also AGM-65 or AGM-119 ASMs. No longer in USN service, but in operation with FMS customers.


Service: The SH-2 served admirably as the Navy's primary light ASW helicopter during the war,seeing combat from the first day to the last. Not only did the aircraft serve from ships, but when their home ships were in port, they carried out local ASW operations in the vicinity. Usually embarked aboard cruisers, destroyers, and frigates, some served from LPHs and LHAs operating in the Sea Control Ship role, escorting Trans-Atlantic or Trans-Pacific convoys. Due to the helicopter's extensive wartime service, it emerged as the primary helicopter killer of Soviet submarines during the war.

Due to its combat performance, Kaman continued to market the SH-2G to FMS customers after the war as an alternative to the SH-60, and did score some FMS sales successes in the postwar years.


Users:

United States Navy: the USN was the only wartime user of the SH-2.


Postwar users:

Australia: The RAN ordered twelve SH-2G(A)s from Kaman in the late 1990s, but numerous technical issues hobbled the aircraft's capability. Serving only as transport helicopters, the program was later canceled in 2006 and additional SH-60Rs procured as a replacement.

Egypt: Ten SH-2Gs were ordered in 1992 as ASW helicopters from newly-built Perry class frigates. Sonobuoy launcher removed and AQS-18 dipping sonar installed. Ten additional aircraft ordered in 2000.

New Zealand: Six F models operated until 2006 by RNZN, with six G models ordered at the same time as the RAN order but with different avionics. RNZN purchased the ex-RAN aircraft and had them remanufactured to their standard by Kaman. F models retired, original Gs sold to Peru.

Peru: Six ex-RNZN aircraft remanufactured by Kaman and delivered to Peru in 2014.

Poland: First former Warsaw Pact member to purchase American military hardware: included in a massive arms purchase to modernize the Polish AF and Navy, eight new-build SH-2Gs delivered in 2002-3 along with three Perry-class frigates from Bath Iron Works in Maine.