Wings Over Illawarra 2017: RAN MH-60R “Romeo” Seahawk

The newest asset in the Royal Australian Navy Fleet Air Arm is the Sikorsky MH-60R “Romeo” Seahawk (N48-009) all-weather, day/night operations, anti-submarine/anti-shipping helicopter which also has a secondary Search And Rescue role. Fitted with advanced avionics and weapons systems, it can carry Mk.54 anti-submarine torpedoes and Hellfire air-to-surface missiles. 24 are on order for operation from RAN ships and they will replace the earlier Sikorsky S-70B-2 Seahawk that is currently in RAN service. Wings Over Illawarra 2017 featured a handy flying display of this new 725 Squadron conversion training helicopter from nearby HMAS Albatross (Naval Air Station Nowra), the land based home of the Fleet Air Arm.

RAN Sikorsky MH-60R “Romeo” Seahawk arrives at Wings Over Illawarra 2017

The MH-60R is a anti-submarine and anti-shipping helicopter with a secondary Search And Rescue role

The new MH-60R “Romeo” banking back along the crowd line at Wings Over Illawarra 2017

The new RAN MH-60R Seahawk will replace the earlier S-70B-2 Seahawk helicopters

The Navy pilot was throwing the new MH-60R about over Illawarra Regional Airport

Taking a hovering position

Hovering before the crowd line

Light up the sky

Heading off

Heading towards the crowd

RAN Sikorsky MH-60R “Romeo” Seahawk – The mountain backdrop makes for a special setting at Wings Over Illawarra

Romeo Illawarra landing

In my next post I will show the static military helicopter displays at Wings Over Illawarra 2017. Both Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army Aviation helicopters were present at the show.