The
Super Seasprite is a high performance, all-weather Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW)
helicopter with anti-surface warfare, Search and Rescue (SAR) and utility capabilities.
A unique design feature of many Kaman helicopters is the use of a trailing-edge
servo flap, used for blade pitch control. The Seasprite prototype was the single
engine HU2K-1, and its first flight was on 2 July 1959. Following flight testing
at Patuxent River, Fleet deliveries began on 18 December 1962 to Helicopter
Utility Squadron One at Naval Auxiliary Air Station Ream Field, California.
These two squadrons provided detachments aboard all Fleet aircraft carriers
serving as utility and as SAR plane guards. In 1962, the designation was
changed to UH-2A under the tri-service designation system. The UH-2B model
was a simplified model for Visual Flight Rules operations only. The UH-2C introduced
the twin General Electric T-58 engines. The HH-2C followed, adding a
7.62-mm minigun in a nose turret and two in-waist positions This model
also included dual main landing gear wheels, a four-bladed tail rotor, an upgraded
transmission, new engines and an increased gross weight capability. These features,
with the exception of the armament, were carried over to the HH-2D.The SH-2D,
produced as the Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS), introduced a search
radar in the radome under the forward fuselage including provisions for two
MK 46 torpedoes. The SH-2F featured a relocation of the tail landing gear to
improve shipboard compatibility and improved main rotor. The SH-2G Super Seasprite
was upgraded with new avionics and with two General Electric T-7C0-GE-401 engines, replacing
the T-58 engines. The Seasprite underwent continual test and evaluation at Patuxent River.
Our display helicopter, SH-2G BuNo 161642, was accepted in the Navy's inventory
as an SG-2F in November 1983. After a tour with the Rotary Wing Aircraft Test
Directorate, it joined Helicopter Anti-Submarine Light Squadron Thirty-Two (HSL-32)
in October 1984. The aircraft remained at HSL-32 until October 1991, before
returning to Kaman for conversion to an SH-2G. Its first flight after the
conversion was in September
1993. BuNo 161642 returned to Patuxent River in October 1993. It was involved
in Dynamic Interface testing which evaluated the shipboard compatibility of helicopters including
shipboard wind over deck flight envelope expansion. This Seasprire also
participated in systems testing and modification
evaluation for the Fleet until its final flight in September 1997. This aircraft
joined the Patuxent River Naval Air Museum aircraft stable in July 1998.This aircraft exhibit is maintained by personnel of the Naval Air Warfare Center - Aircraft Division, Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Squadron.
