PACIFIC OCEAN (July 30, 2022) U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1st Class Humberto Alba, a naval aircrewman tactical-helicopter, attached to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron (HSM) 37, deployed on U.S. Coast Guard Legend-class cutter USCGC Midgett (WMSL 757), looks down at a USCGC crewmember after taking off during flight operations during Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) 2022. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 3rd Class Taylor Bacon)
The U.S. Coast Guard is in line to get a new version of the H-60 helicopter based on the MH-60R Seahawk, which is in service with the U.S. Navy and other armed forces globally. The additional helicopters will supplement, at least initially, the Coast Guard’s aging MH-60T Jayhawks. The Coast Guard also plans to boost its overall capabilities by replacing its fleet of smaller MH-65s with H-60 variants.
Earlier this week, Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) put out a contracting notice announcing its intent to award Lockheed Martin Rotary and Mission Systems a sole-source deal to design and produce an unspecified number of “MH-60R variant aircraft for the United States Coast Guard.”
The Contracting notice makes no commitment as to the numbers involved. One thing is clear. The Coast Guard is still also adding MH-60Ts so we are going to have a mixed fleet.
So how many of the new type, and how much of the Navy’s mission equipment will be retained? Will they be used much as the MH-60T or will they replace only the H-65s that provide air borne use of force (I can’t remember ever seeing a MH-60T deployed on a cutter for a drug enforcement patrol).
They could just not install any of the ASW and ASuW equipment. That would reduce weight and provide more interior room. It has a highly regarded radar that would be very useful for drug interdiction.
I think it is interesting that they chose the “Romeo” version rather than the MH-60S. The closely related MH-60S is the Navy’s combat search and rescue aircraft, but he MH-60S does not have radar that the “Romeo” has.
Probably not, but could this be a step in bringing back an ASW mission for the Coast Guard? In addition to operating from cutters, there is probably a good case to be made for giving Coast Guard Air Stations an ASW capability to keep submarines from being able to concentrate near US ports. Then we might actually guard the coast. Sorry, I couldn’t help myself.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
IMHO the USCG should acquire their new MH-60Ts with ASW equipment and the USCG should step up the upgrades to the Medium and High Endurance Cutters with an AN/SQQ-89 ASWCS system. It does not have to be the full bore hull mounted sonar management variant, but it should be able to handle a MFTA/VDS and process sonobuoys, and launch torpedoes. The Mk58 CRAW can be is shipboard ASW weapon.
Before you know it the Drug Cartels are going to be using full capable submarines and the USCG will be behind the ball. The USCG also needs to stand up their USN support capability for times of emergency when they are attached to the USN. MK15 CIWS on all platforms to at least Mk38 Mod-IV so 30mm anti-drone rounds can be used on all platforms, and are able to be upgraded to up to 50mm guided projectiles with much greater range in the future.
IMHO, the USCG should acquire the MH-60R because if we ever have to go to war, having the MH-60R could help the US Navy in ASW and ASUW operations.