The SH-2G Super Seasprite Tailcone A Unique Advantage

The SH-2G Super Seasprite tailcone contributes to an abundant, albeit intangible number of benefits for operators of the SH-2G and its variants. Amongst its many benefits, the tailcone affords a significant capacity for accommodating a host of avionics equipment that include navigation, communication, sensors, and mission data processors. In addition to the wide array of avionics equipment able to be fitted in the tailcone’s electronics racks, the tailcone provides adequate space for installation and operation of a dipping sonar reeling machine, as in the case of the Egyptian SH-2G(E), and an environmental control unit, as in the Australian SH-2G(A). The tailcone provides enough volumetric space so that the aircraft’s cabin can remain purposely suited for troop transport of six troops, along with a 7.62 mm MAG 58 general service machine gun (GSMG), and a 7-man life raft. The tailcone provides sufficient surface area for the installation of a host of antennae for communication, navigation and counter-measures, with unimpeded and interference-free operation amongst the various systems. Another significant benefit of the Super Seasprite tailcone is its usage for emergency flotation. The tailcone of the Australian SH-2G(A) and the New Zealand SH-2G(NZ) aircraft provides a significant volume that displaces over 110 percent of the aircraft’s MAUW for passive buoyancy. Coupled with this unsurpassed benefit as far as reserve buoyancy margin is concerned, the Super Seasprite flotation system, with its two forward-mounted deployable flotation bags, provides upright stability up to the top of sea state 5 conditions. The design challenges for sealing the tailcone for utilization as a large flotation chamber, while yielding a serviceable compartment, along with providing adequate cooling to the host of avionics LRU’s were carefully considered and effectively met. Efficient utilization of space has forced the placement of avionics equipment to include innovative consideration for component cooling and service requirements in regards to weight impact and center of gravity envelope, in addition to the treatment for operating in a challenging electromagnetic environment. Additional benefits are derived from its shape and size to provide a vertical fin for forward flight and tail rotor unloading, and stiffness to yield low vibration levels on its tail rotor driveline components. This paper discusses the totality of the SH-2G(A) tailcone design in incorporating and managing the many systems that are housed within it and mounted on it.