HSM-73

Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 73 (HSM-73) is a United States Navy Maritime Strike helicopter squadron based on Naval Air Station North Island, California.

Official logo

HSM-73 is the home of the Battlecats.[1] They fly the MH-60R Seahawk helicopter in a variety of missions and are capable of operating from frigates, destroyers, cruisers, and aircraft carriers.[1]

HSM-73's primary mission is to conduct sea control operations in open ocean and littoral environments as an integral part of a Carrier Air Wing. HSM-73's missions include:

  • Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
  • Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW)
  • Surveillance
  • Communication Relay (COMREL)
  • Search and Rescue (SAR)
  • Naval Surface Fire Support (NSFS)
  • Vertical Replenishment (VERTREP)
  • Personnel Transfer

History

HSM-73 was formerly Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 43 (HSL-43). HSL-43 was established in October 1984 and was the Navy's first operational Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) MK III squadron.[2] HSL-43's primary mission was to provide fully mission-capable detachments aboard cruisers, destroyers, and frigates assigned to U.S. Pacific Fleet. Helicopters aboard these detachments were an integral part of the ship's weapon system, extending the ship's under-sea and anti-ship warfare capabilities beyond the horizon. Secondary missions included search and rescue (SAR), medical evacuation (MEDEVAC), vertical replenishment (VERTREP), and communications relay (COMREL).

HSL-43 first deployed in February 1985 and subsequently conducted three to four deployments per year. HSL-43 was the first LAMPS MK III squadron in the Navy to demonstrate direct operational support of a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) and its parent Amphibious Readiness Group. HSL-43 was also the first LAMPS squadron in the Navy to field a Night Vision Goggle (NVG) capable detachment, resulting in an increase in safety, mission effectiveness, and aircrew situational awareness.[2]

Aircraft

Crews from HSM-73 operate the MH-60R Seahawk, also referred to as the "Romeo." The MH-60R is the Navy's primary maritime dominance helicopter, replacing the SH-60B and SH-60F aircraft.[3] The MH-60R helicopter features capability as an airborne multi-mission naval platform. The MH-60R Seahawk is manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft and is the U.S. Navy's primary anti-submarine warfare and anti-surface weapon system for open ocean and littoral zones.[4] It is the world's most advanced maritime helicopter, and is the most capable naval helicopter available today, designed to operate from frigates, destroyers, cruisers, and aircraft carriers.[4] It replaces the SH-60B and SH-60F helicopters in the U.S. Navy's fleet.[5] The MH-60R helicopter features a glass cockpit and significant mission system improvements, which give it capability as an airborne multi-mission naval platform. These improvements include:

  • Upgraded mission and flight displays
  • Improved Advanced Flight Control Computer (AFCC)
  • Integrated Self Defense Suite
  • Upgraded Sensors including: Electronic Support Measures (ESM), Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (ALFS), Multi-mission Radar Upgrade (including ISAR), Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR)
  • A weapons suite including torpedoes and HELLFIRE missiles

Mission

Primary missions

Anti-submarine warfare (ASW) is one of the primary missions of HSM-73. Battlecat aircrews utilize the MH-60R's RADAR, Electronic Support Measures (ESM), sonobuoys, and ship sensors to localize, classify, track, and if necessary, attack when a submarine has been detected. Aircraft can be equipped with various types of torpedoes for this mission.

Anti-Surface Warfare (ASUW) is another primary mission of HSM-73. Battlecat aircrews observe, identify, and localize surface threats using RADAR, ESM, and FLIR. When a suspected threat is detected, an MH-60R aircraft equipped with Hellfire missiles may conduct independent or coordinated attacks.

Secondary missions

Vertical Replenishment - The MH-60R aircraft is able to transfer material between ships, or between ship and shore.

Search and Rescue - The MH-60R aircraft is capable of searching and locating a particular target, object, ship, or aircraft and rescue personnel using the rescue hoist.

Medical Evacuation - The MH-60R aircraft is capable of providing medical evacuation of patients.

Communications Relay - The MH-60R aircraft is capable of relaying communications between units.

Naval Surface Fire Support - The MH-60R may serve as a platform for spotting and controlling naval gunfire from surface ships.

References
  1. "Welcome Aboard". www.public.navy.mil.
  2. , HSM-73 Battlecats.
  3. "MISSION". www.public.navy.mil.
  4. "Sikorsky MH-60R SEAHAWK® Helicopters". Lockheed Martin.
  5. "MH-60R Seahawk Multimission Naval Helicopter". Air Force technology.
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