AI Sea Sprite, and Sea King

[Tank50us]

Since we're getting more and more Mid-Cold War era aircraft in the coming years, it'd be nice if we had the appropriate USN Helos of the era as well, even as AI Assets. Namely, the SH-2 Sea Sprite, and SH-3 Sea King.

Both helicopters were used heavily in ASW, Plane Guard, HUREP, personnel transport, SAR, and other duties. Both were also used by several NATO allies, with one even being flown by the British Royal Family in the Falklands.

I know the SH3 is buried deep in the game files, but that one is obviously in need of some serious work.

[Mr_sukebe]

+1 on that

[Northstar98]

Definitely agree on an SH-3H - one of those is already important for the Forrestal - it's one of the aircraft missing from its air wing for the early 80s to early 90s (and our Forrestal is mid 80s at the earliest).

While I would definitely like the Sea Sprite, we currently lack appropriate ships for them to be based on (e.g. FF 1052, DD 963, CG 16/26, FFG 7 short, CG 47 Baseline 0 etc).

Both aircraft are essentially dedicated to ASW, so they'd lack a role directly involved in combat, but as with the Ka-27PL that isn't necessarily prohibitive.

[Silver_Dragon]

A expecific version has been required, has no the same the early SH-3 with the lasts, that need math with the Forrestal, Nimitz and O.H. Perry (That last never carried a SH-3). I go to check my data.

SH-2D Seasprite ASW Patrol
Man Rtng: 2.5/1.5 Damage Value: 14
Size/Signature: Small/Small Bombsight: None

Sensors: LN-66HP radar, MAD, 15 sonobuoys, SQR-17 sensor link

Throttle Setting/Speed in knots
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
Low: 115 130 --
Med: 115 140 --
Ceiling: 3160 m Engine Type: TS
Cruise Range: 170 nmi Int Fuel: 845 kg
Additional Fuel Fuel Wt. Range Add.
60 USG Drop Tank 185 kg 55 nmi

Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 544 kg
• 2 Mk46 torp
• 1 Mk46 torp, 1 60 USG drop tank
• 2 drop tanks

Remarks: In Svc: Dec 71 - 82?
Helicopter. 20 converted from HH-2D. Also called the LAMPS I, for Light Airborne MultiPurpose System. SH-2D acts as relay between sonobuoys and ship, must remain in radar LOS of ship to use sonobuoys. Can carry 3 passengers.
• Estimated sonobuoy loadout is 12 SSQ-41B, 3 SSQ-50A.

SH-2F Seasprite ASW Patrol
Man Rtng: 3.0/2.5 Damage Value: 14
Size/Signature: Small/Small Bombsight: None

Sensors: LN-66HP radar, MAD, 15 sonobuoys, SQR-17 sensor link

Throttle Setting/Speed in knots
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
Low: 120 130 --
Med: 120 140 --
Ceiling: 6860 m Engine Type: TS
Cruise Range: 170 nmi Int Fuel: 845 kg
Additional Fuel Fuel Wt. Range Add.
60 USG Drop Tank 185 kg 55 nmi

Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 544 kg
• 2 Mk46 torp
• 1 Mk46 torp, 1 60 USG drop tank
• 2 drop tanks

Remarks: In Svc: May 73 - 94
Helicopter. Also called the LAMPS I, for Light Airborne MultiPurpose System. SH-2F acts as relay between sonobuoys and ship, must remain in radar LOS of ship to use sonobuoys. Can carry 4 passengers vice sonobuoys. Equipped with 907 kg cargo hook.
• Estimate 12 SSQ-53/53A, 3 SSQ-62.
• 1984: Fitted with 1st Gen D and 1st Gen RWR.
• 1987: 16 fitted for Persian Gulf service, known as MEF (Middle East Expeditionary Force) fit, with 2nd Gen RWR, 2nd Gen FLIR, 3rd Gen D, ALQ-144 (1st Gen IR jammer), S(1)1 7.62mm door mg and DLQ-3 missile warning and jammer (Detects TARH seekers, acts as Large target in hover).
• 1991: Fitted with prototype mine detection LIDAR vice MAD, operated from Vreeland (Knox class FF).

SH-2G Seasprite ASW
Man Rtng: 3.0/2.5 Damage Value: 15
Size/Signature: Small/Small Bombsight: None
Sensors: 2nd Gen FLIR, LN-66HP radar, MAD, 2nd Gen ES, 15 sonobuoys, UYS-503 sonobuoy processor

Throttle Setting/Speed in knots
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
Low: 130 150 --
Med: 130 150 --
Ceiling: 6401 m Engine Type: TS
Cruise Range: 195 nmi Int Fuel: 852 kg
Additional Fuel Fuel Wt. Range Add.
100 USG drop tank 305 kg 100 nmi

Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 1814 kg
• 2 Mk46 torp
• 1 Mk46 torp, 1 drop tank
• 2 drop tank
Remarks: In Svc: 1993 - Jun 01
Helicopter. Fitted with on board acoustic processor. SH-2G can also act as relay between sonobuoys and ship, must remain in radar LOS of ship to use SQR-17. Can use SSQ-41B, SSQ-53D/E/F, SSQ-62C and SSQ-77B. SH-2G used on short hull FFG-7, and can be fitted with SH-2F Persian Gulf fit. Can carry 4 passengers with sonobuoys removed.
• Dec 96: Magic Lantern mine detection LIDAR operational with HSL-94. Two systems available, and one helo fitted. When fitted, replaces MAD and blocks S weapons pylon. Usual loadout is Magic Lantern and one drop tank.

SH-3A Sea King ASW
Man Rtng: 2.0/1.5 Damage Value: 17
Size/Signature: Small/Small Bombsight: None

Sensors: LN-66HP radar, MAD, AQS-10 dipping sonar.

Throttle Setting/Speed in knots
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
Low: 100 133 --
Med: 100 133 --
Ceiling: 3688 m Engine Type: TS
Cruise Range: 390 nmi Int Fuel: 2015 kg
Additional Fuel Fuel Wt. Range Add.
175 USG drop tank 535 kg 145 nmi

Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 800 kg
• 4 Mk43/Mk44 torpedoes
• 1 Mk101 Lulu or B57 Nuclear DB
• 4 Mk14 DC or 4 Mk54 DC

Remarks: In Svc: Sep 61 - 70s
Helicopter. Pre-1962 designation HSS-2. Cannot drop weapons while in hover. Overload with drop tanks carried, reduces Maneuver Rating by 0.5. Cannot use helicopter inflight refueling.
• 1966 - 72: Nine RH-3A minesweeping versions in service. Retired due to insufficient power margin.
• 1970 - 90: 12 USN HH-3A CSAR versions in service. Has two 175 USG external tanks and P/S(R)2 7.62mm miniguns.
• 1970: SH-3A converted to SH-3G transport/ASW version with provision for 175 USG drop tanks, S(1)1 7.62mm mg, fitted to HIFR. Typically used as transports with 15 passengers and two 175 USG tanks. Can be fitted with AQS-10 sonar. Later fitted with AQS-13 sonar and MAD.

SH-3D Sea King ASW
Man Rtng: 2.0/1.5 Damage Value: 17
Size/Signature: Small/Small Bombsight: None

Sensors: LN-66HP radar, MAD, AQS-13B dipping sonar

Throttle Setting/Speed in knots
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
Low: 118 144 --
Med: 118 144 --
Ceiling: 4480 m Engine Type: TS
Cruise Range: 420 nmi Int Fuel: 2550 kg

Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 800 kg
• 2 Mk43/44/46 torpedoes or 2 Mk14/54 DC
• 1 Mk101 Lulu or B57 NDB.

Remarks: In Svc: 1966 - 1992
Helicopter. Pre-1962 designation HSS-2A. Some fitted with MAD. Can remove sonar and carry 15 passengers or 2720 kg slung load. 
• 1987: SLEP for 26+ with AQS-13E, 42 sonobuoys and LAMPS I SQR-17 acoustic processor - acts as relay between sonobuoys and ship, must remain in radar LOS of ship to use sonobuoys. Provision for two ALE-37 chaff pods. Others have sonar removed and used in transport role.

SH-3H Sea King ASW
Man Rtng: 2.0/1.5 Damage Value: 17
Size/Signature: Small/Small Bombsight: None

Sensors: LN-66HP radar, MAD, 2nd Gen ES, AQS-13B dipping sonar, 24 sonobuoys, SQR-17 sensor link.

Throttle Setting/Speed in knots
Altitude Cruise Full Mil Reheat
Low: 118 140 --
Med: 118 140 --
Ceiling: 4480 m Engine Type: TS
Cruise Range: 425 nmi Int Fuel: 2575 kg
Additional Fuel Fuel Wt. Range Add.
110 USG drop tank 335 kg 80 nmi

Ordnance Loadouts: Payload: 715 kg
• 2 46 torpedoes or 2 Mk14/54 DC
• 1 Mk101 Lulu or B57 nuclear DB
• 2 ALE-37 chaff pods or 2 drop tanks

Remarks: In Svc: 1973 - Dec 09
Helicopter. Update of existing SH-3A, SH-3D and some SH-3G. Acts as relay between sonobuoys and ship, must remain in radar LOS of ship to use sonobuoys. Can remove sonar and carry 15 passengers or 2720 kg slung load. SH-3G conversion can carry 110 USG drop tanks.
• 1976: ES and radar removed to make room for tactical navigation equipment, 24 sonobuoys and sensor link. Estimated sonobuoy loadout is 18 SSQ-41A/B, 6 SSQ-53.
• 1990 - 91: Fitted with S(1)1 7.62mm mg.
• 1992: 80 converted to UH-3H utility/transport with all sensors removed.
• 1995: Replaced in ASW role by SH-60F.

For Aircrafts deploys on carriers, check the "Ship Overview" post.

Edited June 4, 2024 by Silver_Dragon

[Kang]

I would definitely also enjoy a Sea King as a proper module, but if I remember correctly ED dismissed the idea mostly because it would require water landing dynamics that DCS doesn't have. Would sure appreciate an AI unit of both of these anyway.

[Silver_Dragon]

3 minutes ago, Kang said:

I would definitely also enjoy a Sea King as a proper module, but if I remember correctly ED dismissed the idea mostly because it would require water landing dynamics that DCS doesn't have. Would sure appreciate an AI unit of both of these anyway.

ED dont talk about "landing Dynamic phisics".... on fact, that is a core feature, no a SH-3 exclusive module. To build a ASW aircraft, that require a Sonar Engine / propper Sonobouys / Dipping sonar features / ASW Torpedoes / Depth Charges system / Helicopter & Aircrafts ASW stations / Rescue Hoist phisics / Sub DM and a long etc no builded into DCS World. That put the SH-3 actualy has a only "transport" module meanwhile missing all ASW brench features.

[Kang]

Yes... a core feature that they said would be needed for a working SH-3 module.

The whole lack of any ASW mechanics on the whole never stops ED from dedicating most of the 'naval focus' towards submarines for some reason either...

[Silver_Dragon]

34 minutes ago, Kang said:

Yes... a core feature that they said would be needed for a working SH-3 module.

The whole lack of any ASW mechanics on the whole never stops ED from dedicating most of the 'naval focus' towards submarines for some reason either...

Actual submarines has only a placebo, remember the subs on DCS World coming from LOMAC times (Kilo version and a missing Tango) with working as a ship. On fact the WW2 Type VII was enable a "submerge" capability (other placebo), put a argument to simulate sumerging / emerging a sub (none builded as trim or ballast tanks, etc), and only add some connectors to fire torpedoe (The same of the E-boat S-130) with many missing funtionality (The G7A-T1 only work as a straight-running missile, no as a gyro torpedoe). The other subs builded on DCS World was the Dekka Type 093 (has add a chinesse torpedoe similar to ED torpedoes) and RAZBAM SA Santa Fe (Without weapons or connectors) . None of Subs on DCS work working as a real sub, only has modeled as a ship, with has none new funtionality on years, incude the SC module, with has only centred on carrier deck airborne funtionality, none has new on the DCS World sea environment funtionality. On fact, ED and 3rd parties has more centred on build AI ships, no submarines.

Edited June 4, 2024 by Silver_Dragon

[killjoy73au]

Just like the SH-60B they'd be great for Surface Search and SAR, Throw a Lynx in there while we're at it.

+1

Edited June 7, 2024 by killjoy73au

[Northstar98]

1 hour ago, killjoy73au said:

Just like the SH-60B they'd be great for Surface Search and SAR, Throw a Lynx in there while we're at it.

+1

They would... if that functionality was actually present in DCS world. Helicopters can't be used for over-the-horizon targeting (short of scripting it yourself) and search and rescue (especially at sea) isn't a thing, we have no rafts and no functional rescue hoists/winches.

[killjoy73au]

2 hours ago, Northstar98 said:

They would... if that functionality was actually present in DCS world. Helicopters can't be used for over-the-horizon targeting (short of scripting it yourself) and search and rescue (especially at sea) isn't a thing, we have no rafts and no functional rescue hoists/winches.

Shhh don't question it, just get them in the game.