Original the Seahawk was developed for: anti-submarine warfare, search and rescue (SAR), drugs penetration, anti-surface warfare, cargo transport and by special operations. All Sea Hawks are equipped with the General Electric T700 turboshaft engine.

United States
The SH-60 services with the US Navy which has about 230 helicopters. The Seahawk is used in different versions like the: SH-60B, SH-60R, SH-60F and the HH-60H. In 2015 all helicopters will be replaced by the new MH-60S and MH-60R Seahawk versions

SH-60B
The SH-60B came operational with the US Navy in 1983. It is the version for tactical operations and is stationed on cruisers, destroyers and frigates. This version is mainly used for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. The crew consists of a pilot, airborne tactical officer (ATO) and a sensor operator.

SH-60F
The SH-60F Seahawk came operational in 1988 and is only used from US aircraft carriers.

HH-60H
The HH-60H version Seahawk is also carrier based but is only used for Search and Rescue (SAR), MEDEVAC, special operations and anti-surface strikes.

The HH-60H is not equipped for anti-submarine warfare but it has a 50 mm machine gun and a stinger-, maverick- and hellfire missile system. For self-defence it has the ALQ-144 infrared jammer pod.
The HH-60H can fly 370km to transport 8 Navy Seals of a height of 915 meters.

SH-60 in other countries
The SH-60 Seahawk is also in service by the (allied) countries: Australia (16 heli's), Greece (10 heli's), Japan (70 heli's), Spain (12 heli's), Taiwan (20 heli's), Thailand (6 heli's) and Turkey (20 heli's).

US Navy H-60 Sea Hawk