The Sikorsky MH-60S Knighthawk multimission helicopter entered service in February 2002. The U.S. Navy expected to acquire a total of 237 of the MH-60S helicopters to conduct vertical replenishment missions as search and rescue of combat, support for the war and special measures in the mine air.The helicopter began full rate production in August 2002. From January 2011 52 MH-60R and MH-60S helicopter 154 were in service with the U.S. Navy. The first implementation of the new helicopter was conducted aboard USS Essex, Wasp class amphibious assault ship in January 2003 and a series MH-60S helicopter were deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
The helicopter was originally designated CH-60S, as a replacement for the U.S. Navy Boeing CH-46D Sea Knight transport helicopters, heavy on the vertical replenishment role. The helicopter was redesignated MH-60S, as a result of expansion in the mission requirements to include a wide range of additional capabilities of combat support. Withdrawal of U.S. Navy Knights concluded the Sea in September 2004.
