Editing Kaman SH-2 Seasprite (section)

===Further developments===
[[File:UH-2C CVA-19 1968-69.jpg|thumb|A UH-2C aboard USS ''Hancock'' between July 1968 and March 1969]]
[[File:Kaman SH-2D.jpg|thumb|Kaman SH-2D]]

The HU2K-1 and HU2K-1U were re-designated as the UH-2A and UH-2B respectively under the [[1962 United States Tri-Service aircraft designation system]]. The Seasprite continued to receive modifications and improvements, including external stores mounts. Beginning in 1968, the USN's remaining UH-2s underwent a major conversion into a more powerful two-engine configuration.<ref name=Frawley_Military>Frawley 2002, p. 100.</ref>

In the 1960s, the US Army commissioned a gunship version, which was called the Kaman H-2 Tomahawk, and featured multiple [[M60 machine gun|M-60 machine guns]] ([[7.62×51mm NATO|7.62]]) and options for rocket launchers, however, it was passed over in favor of the [[Bell AH-1 Cobra|AH-1 Cobra]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kaman Helicopters |url=https://www.airvectors.net/avkaman.html#m3 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=www.airvectors.net}}</ref>

In 1968 two UH-2Bs, were converted to NUH-2B.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Forgotten Rotors - A Warbirds Resource Group Site |url=http://forgottenrotors.warbirdsresourcegroup.org/kaman_SH2_seasprite.html |access-date=2024-05-01 |website= forgottenrotors.warbirdsresourcegroup.org}}</ref> These were experimental versions for the U.S. Army, which attached a [[General Electric J85|J85 turbojet]] to the helicopter, and achieved speeds over 220s mph, and the second prototype had wings attached. Both prototypes were returned to SH2-D after the trials.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Walton |first=Bill |date=2021-09-24 |title=Seasprite: Kaman's Little Utility Helicopter Made a Big Impact on the Fleet |url=https://avgeekery.com/seasprite-kamans-little-utility-helicopter-made-a-big-impact-on-the-fleet/ |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=Avgeekery.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

In October 1970, the UH-2 was selected as the interim [[Light Airborne Multi-Purpose System]] (LAMPS) helicopter.<ref name=Frawley_Military/> LAMPS evolved during the 1960s from an urgent requirement to provide non-aviation ships with manned support and ASW helicopters. The "LAMPS Mark I" suite included advanced sensors, processors, and display capabilities. H-2s upgraded with LAMPS were called SH-2Ds, and became mobile radar and sonar platforms that enhanced the [[situational awareness]] of ships.<ref name=Frawley_Military/>

The SH-2D first flew on 16 March 1971.<ref>Pattillo 2001, pp. 312–313.</ref> Deliveries of the SH-2F began in 1973; the SH-2F included LAMPS I and other improvements, such as upgraded engines, an extended life main rotor, and an heavier take-off weight. During 1981, the USN ordered 60 SH-2Fs. From 1987, 16 SH-2Fs were upgraded with a chin-mounted [[Forward looking infrared|forward-looking infrared]] (FLIR) sensor, [[chaff]]/[[flare]] launchers, dual rear-mounted [[infrared countermeasure]]s, and [[Demining#Current humanitarian demining methods|missile/mine detecting]] equipment.<ref name=Eden_p219>Eden 2004, p. 219.</ref>

All but two USN H-2s were converted into SH-2Fs. Fiscal Year 1986 was the last time SH-2F were ordered; the final six were converted into [[Kaman SH-2G Super Seasprite|SH-2G Super Seasprite]]s.<ref name=Eden_p219/>