The Seasprite is a light anti-submarine helicopter designed to be operated from smaller warships such as destroyers and frigates. The original design of the SH-2 dates to 1957 and a Navy requirement for a light utility helicopter. Kaman won the contract and began producing the HU2K in 1962. In the late 1960s the Navy began to look for an anti-submarine helicopter that would be small enough to operate from destroyers and frigates. The Seasprite proved to be perfect for the job and the SH-2D version was introduced. The most significant upgrades to the design were the addition of a second engine and external weapon mounting points. The SH-2D entered service in 1971. By the mid-1980s virtually all the Seasprites built had been upgraded to SH-2F status with further electronic improvements. The Seasprite was retired from the U.S. Navy in 2001.
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