MH-60R Seahawk helicopters flown by the U.S. Navy and Royal Australian Navy are being fitted with new anti-submarine warfare (ASW) kit supplied by Sikorsky and CAE.
Sikorsky, part of Lockheed Martin, have partnered with multinational technology and training firm CAE to install the Magnetic Anomaly Detection-Extended Role (MAD-XR) system on the rotary-wing platform.
The sensor is built by CAE and installed by Sikorsky; its sensitive magnetometers enable the system’s users to detect and track submarines below the sea surface.
CAE was subcontracted by Sikorsky after the firm won a $21 million U.S. Navy contract to deliver 20 MAD kits for the Royal Australian Navy, six for the U.S. Navy, and two for evaluation by the U.S. Navy Reserve back in September.
Delivery of the systems are scheduled to be completed in May 2026; the deal also includes options for additional U.S. Navy orders of up to 48 more MAD kits by 2026.
Cliff Kyle, General Manager Sikorsky Australia, said the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) would be the first MH-60R operator to install the digital MAD capability on its fleet.
As per company press statements, the MAD-XR weighs under 20lb (9kg) including cabling and can be installed inside an MH-60R tail cone without permanent airframe modifications, meaning it can be switched between platforms as operationally needed.
As such it offers significant improvements over the AN/ASQ-81 Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD) sensors installed on former U.S. Navy SH-60B helicopters, which were externally mounted weighed about 90lb, and trailed in the air behind the aircraft.
Tish Rourke, Sikorsky Maritime Systems vice president, commented: “MH-60R operators now have the option to significantly upgrade their anti-submarine warfare capability using a small, removable device that senses changes in the Earth’s magnetic field caused by large metallic objects in the water.”
She added: “With recent upgrades to mission computer software, this non-acoustic digital MAD sensor can easily be installed into any operational MH-60R aircraft, and can operate independently or collaboratively with other mission systems, such as the aircraft’s sonobuoys or long-range active dipping sonar.”
France Hébert, Division President, Defense & Security Canada and Global Operations Lead, added: “CAE’s MAD-XR offers a cutting-edge solution to detect and track submarines and other underwater threats, significantly enhancing military aircraft capabilities – it is the trusted choice for defence and security applications worldwide.”
- You can read more details on the Lockheed Martin and CAE websites
