 |
|
|
Squadron Light Ninety Four (HSL-94) Titans |
 |
|
Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Ninety Four (HSL-94), established 1 Oct 1985, is a U.S. Naval Reserve Helicopter Squadron based at Willow Grove, Penn., Naval Air Station. Flying the SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopter, HSL-94 is a Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System (LAMPS) Mark I HSL squadron. While the basic missions of the Titans are Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW), Search and Rescue (SAR), logistics and Anti-Ship Surveillance and Targeting (ASST), an additional Airborne Mine Countermeasures (AMCM) capability is provided with the MAGIC LANTERN laser mine detection system. The LAMPS Squadron of HSL-94 is comprised of 38 officers and 199 enlisted personnel, of which 90 percent of the officers and 51 percent of the enlisted are Selected Reservists. The squadron is ready to deploy single-helicopter detachments consisting of 4 pilots, 2 AWs and 12 maintenance technicians, onboard the 10 remaining Reserve Oliver Hazard Perry class frigates, as well as provide contributory support to the fleet. The lack of fleet SH-2 experienced personnel from which to recruit qualified pilots, AWs and maintenance technicians requires HSL 94 to take on the role of a Fleet Replacement Squadron for pilots, and provide Fleet Replacement Aviation Maintenance Training for maintenance technicians. The AWs receive instruction at COMHELWINGRES prior to reporting to the RESFORON. Reserve pilots and aircrew are generally affiliated based on fleet ASW and/or ASST tactical warfare training and experience. The Reserve maintenance personnel, on the other hand, have broader fleet backgrounds and experience on many different type aircraft. Once affiliated, pilots, aircrewmen and maintenance technicians are trained locally during drill weekends and active duty training periods. The MAGIC LANTERN laser mine detection system, installed on Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite helicopters, equips the squadron to detect and identify floating and moored sea mines. MAGIC LANTERN uses a blue-green laser and a camera array to scan water below the helicopter from the surface down to a keel depth greater than that of any U. S. warship. The system correlates multiple scans to identify mines with outstanding reliability. Accurate navigation data from the Global Positioning System enables the SH-2G crew to locate mines precisely. The mines can then be avoided by a single ship or battle group, and a disposal unit can be brought in later to remove the threat. MAGIC LANTERN has demonstrated a higher probability of detection, lower false alarm rate, and a greater area coverage in looking for and finding contact mines than any other system available to the Navy today. HSL-94 now has two MAGIC LANTERN systems and will receive a third system in December. Kaman Aerospace is under contract to modify five more SH-2Gs in the squadron. A prototype system of MAGIC LANTERN was deployed during the Persian Gulf War in 1991 after the USS TRIPOLI struck a moored mine in an area swept previously by other assets. This success of that prototype led to further development and eventually the newly deployed system. MAGIC LANTERN uses a blue green LASER and several highly sensitive optical reflectors controlled by a computer to scan the depths of the ocean for mines. The aircraft tactical navigation system is fed information by the onboard Global Positioning System (GPS) that allows very accurate plotting of any mines found. Explosive Ordnance Detail (EOD) teams can then be brought in to detonate or remove the mines. MAGIC LANTERN can sweep an area of six square nautical miles in approximately one hour. This rapid sweep capability will give task force commanders a mine reconnaissance system that will quickly provide critical information. This new system will bring a tremendous new capability to locate and remove mines to the Navy. MAGIC LANTERN is intended to be an interim system until newer systems are developed that are compatible with any U.S. Navy helicopter. Used in coordination with existing mine countermeasures aircraft and surface ships, MAGIC LANTERN has proven to be a highly effective system in detecting mines. Deployed on the SH-2G Super Seasprite, MAGIC LANTERN will be able to embark any ship in the U.S. Fleet. This new capability is found only in the Naval Air Reserve. The SH-2s combines sophisticated radar, acoustic and non-acoustic sensors, and weapons in a proven all-weather, day or night, small-ship capable helicopter. The SH-2G features the highest power-to-weight ratio of any small ship maritime helicopter, incorporating twin fleet standard General Electric T700-C engines, vastly improving endurance and emergency single-engine operation. The addition of the latest generation of Acoustic Processor, the UYS-503, allows onboard processing of passive DIFAR and active DICASS sonobouys. In the ASW role, the SH-2G can carry 15 sonobouys, two MK-46/50 acoustic homing torpedoes, as well as chaff and flares for anti-missile countermeasures (ALE-39). Standard equipment carried on all flights includes the magnetic anomaly detector (MAD) for subsurface magnetic disturbance detection, the LN-66 surface search radar, and the ALR-66 electronic surveillance measures (ESM). The crew consists of two pilots and an enlisted (AW) aircrewman. One pilot assumes aircraft commander, safety of flight responsibilities; the other performs as air tactical officer. The aircrewman operates radar, acoustic analysis and MAD gear. Additionally, all AWs are trained as SAR rescue swimmers. |
|
Home Page | AMCM | AMCM History | Naval Mines | Mine History | Glossary | E-mail addresses | FAQ | Links MH-53E | HM-12 | HM-14 | HM-15 | HM-16 | HM-18 | HM-19 | HSL-94 | AWSTS | CSS | USS INCHON 
This site is designed and maintained by LT Mark Zwolski DISCLAIMER |
 |
when this page is updated. |