Thread by @VishnuNDTV

MILITARY NERD ALERT: Don't read this if military technology is not your thing. Its just that the Indian Navy's acquisition of 24 MH-60 R choppers from the US is a transformative capability in the Indian Ocean. Let me explain why, system by system.

20. Spare engines (T-700-GE-401C), documents, training equipment and a whole lot more. Bottom line ... If the Rafale is the IAF's gold standard for combat aircraft, then this aircraft is the gold standard for a maritime multi-role helicopter. It doesn't get any better.

2. The helicopter's APS-153(V) multimode radars are the world's premier systems of this class. Its roles - Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Anti-Surface Warfare (ASuW), C4ISR (Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance) ... (more)

3. Surface surveillance, Maritime interdiction, Combat Search and Rescue/Search and Rescue, MedEvac, Logistical support, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF), Battle damage assessment and Naval surface fire support.

4. In simple terms, the APS-153(V) ''meets the critical design challenges of the maritime military helicopter environment: rugged, lightweight, low-prime power, extremely small target detection, high-resolution imaging and long-range surface search.''

5. The AAS-44C(V), described as ''a forward-looking infrared targeting system [with] video imagery, which helps soldiers, intelligence analysts and commanders in the field make critical operating decisions.''

6. Airborne Low Frequency Sonar (likely the AN/AQS-22) described as ''the primary undersea anti-submarine warfare sensor for the U.S. Navy’s
MH-60R multi-mission helicopter.'' It enables the helicopter to engage targets with its Mk-54 light weight torpedo.

7. An integrated inertial navigation system with Selective Availability Anti-spoofing Module (SAASM) which is ''used by military Global Positioning System receivers to allow decryption of precision GPS observations.'' This allows accurate, jam resistant navigation.

8. ''The AN/SQQ series of sonobuoys consists of the SSQ-36 bathythermograph (BT); SSQ-53 passive directional low frequency analyze and record (DIFAR); SSQ-62 directional command active sonobuoy system (DICASS).'' This allows the chopper to hunt down subs and prepare for attack.

9. AGM-114Q Hellfire missiles - a surprisingly limited number of missiles which can take out small craft or targets on the ground.

10. Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System rockets - described as a weapon system guidance kit which ''transforms an unguided 2.75-inch (70 millimeter) rocket into a precision-guided rocket, giving warfighters a low-cost surgical strike capability.''

11. 30 Mk-54 torpedoes ... again a limited number of weapons for a fleet of 24. The torpedoes incorporate the most modern technologies from the MK 50 and MK 48 ADCAP (advanced capability) programs. It also utilizes the proven MK 46 warhead and propulsion subsystems.

12. M-240D crew served guns, ''a family of belt-fed, gas-operated medium machine guns that chamber the 7.62×51mm NATO cartridge.''

13. GAU-21 crew served guns which ''produces a blistering 1,100 rounds per minute cyclic rate of fire through the use of open-bolt operation and a dual recoil buffer system.''

14. Very importantly ... 2 Naval Strike Missile ''Emulators'' and 4 Captive Inert Training missiles. Surprisingly no NSM missiles themselves which can strike targets such as ships more than 185km away. Hmmm.

15. AN/AVS-9(V) series of aviator's night vision systems which ''are available in more than 40 different configurations that allow pilots to conduct critical operations on the darkest of nights.''

16. AN/ARC-210 RT-1990A (C) radios with COMSEC - The ARC-210 is a family of radios for military aircraft that provides two-way, multi-mode voice and data communications. This will also allow our choppers to ''talk'' to friendly US assets.

17. One legacy/spare MH-60 platform - presumably for training purposes. A used US Navy chopper.

18. AN/ARC-220 High Frequency airborne communication system, ''an easy-to-operate, multifunctional, fully digital signal processing high-frequency radio for rotary-wing applications.''

19. AN/APX-123 Identification Friend of Foe systems ... BAE Systems’ common transponder (CXP) is the U.S. Navy and Army standard transponder for all retrofit and new product applications. Absolutely critical system in dense airspace or when engaging in battle.