Kaman SH-2 Seasprite

The Kaman SH-2 Seasprite is a ship-based helicopter that began as a fast, compact naval utility helicopter for the United States Navy. Kaman's K-20 design won a competition in the late 1950s and the Navy ordered four prototypes and an initial batch of twelve helicopters. The first flight was on 2 July 1959 and the UH-2 entered service in 1962. The single engine limited its performance, so from 1968 the Navy had the helicopters converted to twin turboshaft power, and from 1970 the type became the interim Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System helicopter, giving the SH-2D and SH-2F anti-submarine variants. Their small size let them operate from frigate decks too small for larger helicopters. Seasprites flew combat search and rescue in the Vietnam War and surface warfare and combat support in the Persian Gulf, and the last variant, the SH-2G Super Seasprite, still serves with several navies.