--- title: "Australian MH-60R Helicopter Executes Stunning Flare Dump Off Stern Of Destroyer" description: "It’s the turn of the Royal Australian Navy to provide us with a spectacular view of airborne infrared countermeasures in action, with a recent video showing a demonstration by one of its [MH-60R Seahawk]() multi-mission maritime helicopters. In the past,…" date: "2024-09-10" modified: "2024-09-10" authors: - name: "Thomas Newdick" job_title: "Staff Writer" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/thomas-newdick" url: "https://www.twz.com/sea/australian-mh-60r-helicopter-executes-stunning-flare-dump-off-stern-of-destroyer" categories: - "Air" - "Around The Globe" - "Australia" - "H-60" - "Helicopters" - "Indo-Pacific" - "MH-60/AH-60" - "Navies" - "News & Features" - "Royal Australian Navy" - "Sea" --- # Australian MH-60R Helicopter Executes Stunning Flare Dump Off Stern Of Destroyer ![It’s the turn of the Royal Australian Navy to provide us with a spectacular view of airborne infrared countermeasures in action, with a recent video showing a demonstration by one of its MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission maritime helicopters. In the past, TWZ has taken examined some remarkable air-launched countermeasures action, including extreme close-ups, mass drops, airshow routines, and flare ‘dumps’ from heavyweight transports. This may be the first time we’ve seen a helicopter perform this kind of pyrotechnical feat so close to a warship.]() *Australian Department of Defense screencap* It’s the turn of the Royal Australian Navy to provide us with a spectacular view of airborne infrared countermeasures in action, with a recent video showing a demonstration by one of its [MH-60R Seahawk]() multi-mission maritime helicopters. In the past, *TWZ* has examined some remarkable air-launched countermeasures action, including [extreme close-ups](), [mass drops](), [airshow routines](), and flare ‘dumps’ from Soviet-era [heavyweight transports](). This may be the first time we’ve seen a helicopter perform this kind of pyrotechnical feat close behind a warship. https://twitter.com/Australian\_Navy/status/1832178518924390601 The video shows Leading Seaman Imagery Specialist Daniel Goodman of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) as he takes photos of the MH-60R that is hovering off the stern of the [*Hobart* class]() destroyer HMAS *Sydney*. The Seahawk, better known as a “Romeo,” is embarked on the warship as “Phoenix” Flight. https://twitter.com/hqjoc/status/1828679967217225985 It seems the photos that Goodman took from his position right at the far end of the destroyer’s flight deck have not yet been publicly released. In the meantime, however, the video, which appears to have been taken from just in front of the warship’s helicopter hangar, at the opposite end of the flight deck, is extraordinary in itself. Over a period of around 10 seconds, the hovering helicopter spits out dozens of infrared countermeasures cartridges which make for a real spectacle as they cascade down from either side of the aircraft. As well as palls of smoke, the glare from the flares illuminates the flight deck, while the extreme contrast turns the sky almost black. ![]() *Lieutenant Hudson Wakefield is raised by HMAS *Sydney*’s embarked MH-60R during winching drills as the ship is deployed on a regional presence deployment. LSIS Daniel Goodman* The presence of a photographer so close to the action — and the release of such a considerable quantity of flares — suggests this may have been primarily a media opportunity, but again, we don’t know for sure and have asked the RAN for more details (and imagery). The date and location of the video are also unclear, although Goodman also recently recorded HMAS *Sydney* as it took part in major multinational maneuvers as a component of a multinational task group in the Indo-Pacific region. Also involved were the French Navy frigate *Bretagne*, German Navy frigate *Baden-Württemberg* and replenishment ship *Frankfurt am Main*, Italian Navy frigates *Cavour* and *Alpino*, and patrol ship *Montecuccoli*, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force’s helicopter carrier *Izumo* and destroyer *Onami*. https://www.instagram.com/royalaustraliannavy/reel/C\_ocZGcpQ6D/ The MH-60R is the workhorse of the RAN’s rotary-wing fleet, with a total of 36 examples having been ordered. Commissioned into service in 2014, these aircraft serve with two operational and one training squadron and deploy aboard various warships, flying missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, vertical replenishment, passenger and cargo transfer, and search and rescue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zn64qpK-hwo As [we have discussed before](), countermeasures flares of the kind seen in the video from HMAS *Sydney* are a key tool in the aviator’s box of self-defense tricks. Burning at thousands of degrees, they are especially valuable to helicopters (as well as low-flying ground-attack aircraft) that spend much of their missions operating in high-risk areas of their flight envelope and in environments where shoulder-launched surface-to-air missiles are a likely hazard. We have also explored in the past the [different ways that countermeasures flares can be deployed](), with three primary modes available depending on the nature of the threat. The first mode is fully automatic, with the dispenser system responding to threat data from the missile approach warning system and responding without aircrew input. The second is semi-automatic, with the dispenser system selecting the best response, signaling that to the aircrew, who then initiate the release. Finally, in manual mode, the aircrew select a pre-programmed response, in terms of quantities, sequences, and types of expendables to be employed. The cost of infrared countermeasures is highly variable and something that you can read more about [here](). Manual mode would have been used in the MH-60R video, to ensure these eye-catching results. This kind of photo opportunity is something that the RAN has exploited in the past, too. The photo below, dating from 2020, shows an MH-60R embarked on the *Anzac* class frigate HMAS *Parramatta* as it releases flares during a training flight while on deployment in Southeast Asia. ![An MH-60R Seahawk helicopter embarked on HMAS Parramatta deploys Counter Measure Dispense System flares during a training flight conducted on a deployment through South East Asia. \*\*\* Local Caption \*\*\* Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Frigate HMAS Parramatta has returned to Australia after completing a three-month deployment incorporating South and South East Asia. The deployment showed Australia's commitment to our partners and to a secure and prosperous region.]() *An MH-60R Seahawk embarked on HMAS *Parramatta* deploys flares during a training flight. *Australian Department of Defense* LSIS Leo Baumgartner* Another image shows the MH-60R embarked on the destroyer HMAS *Hobart* as it fires flares off the coast of New South Wales. The photo is just as dramatic but has also been digitally altered, according to the Australian Department of Defense. ![HMAS Hobart's embarked MH-60R Seahawk helicopter fires flares off the coast of New South Wales. This image has been digitally altered. \*\*\* Local Caption \*\*\* The Royal Australian Navy is conducting a regional deployment across Southeast Asia from July to October 2020 with HMA Ships Hobart, Stuart, Arunta and Sirius. The deployment demonstrates Australia's enduring commitment to the security and stability of the Indo-Pacific and to sustaining strong and positive defence relationships with regional nations. All parts of the deployment are being conducted in accordance with COVID-19 safety measures.]() *HMAS *Hobart*'s embarked MH-60R fires flares off the coast of New South Wales in 2020. *Australian Department of Defense* LSIS Christopher Szumlanski* Similar photo opportunities have been provided in the past by the MH-60R’s predeccessor in RAN service, the S-70B-2 Seahawk. In this example, the S-70B-2 embarked on HMAS *Melbourne* was deploying flares off the stern in celebration of its having achieved 5,000 flying hours while on patrol in the Middle East area of operations. ![HMAS Melbourne's embarked S-70B-2 Seahawk aircraft, Dominator, deploys decoy flares off the stern in celebration of its 5000 flying hours that it attained today on patrol in the Middle East Area of Operations. \*\*\* Local Caption \*\*\* HMAS Melbourne's embarked S-70B-2 Seahawk Dominator (073) has attained 5000 hours flying time. This milestone was achieved during a routine patrol off the coast of Somalia. The aircraft is conducting patrols in support of counter piracy tasking under the direction of Combined Task Force 150.]() *HMAS *Melbourne*'s embarked S-70B-2, named *Dominator*, deploys decoy flares off the stern during a routine patrol off the coast of Somalia in 2013. The aircraft was conducting patrols in support of counter-piracy tasking under the direction of Combined Task Force 150. *Australian Department of Defense* ABIS Jayson Tufrey* While these are all impressive in their own way, they are eclipsed by the dynamism of the video taken from HMAS *Sydney*, especially bearing in mind the helicopter’s (and the pyrotechnics’) proximity to the warship and the photographer on the flight deck. As well as being vital for survival in many different combat theaters, and requiring periodic training and testing, infrared flares are also a very impressive visual ‘trick’ that can be called upon by aviators who have them at their disposal. Two reasons why we’re likely to see similar displays of pyrotechnics by RAN Seahawks and other types in the future. *Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com* ## Author Thomas Newdick is a staff writer at *TWZ*, where he covers military aviation, defense technology, weapons systems, and international security. Based in Berlin, Germany, he reports on conflicts, military modernization efforts, and emerging aerospace technologies around the world, with a particular interest in airpower and its role in contemporary warfare. His reporting is informed by deep expertise in modern and historical airpower, particularly in Europe, with a focus on military aviation, air campaigns, and aerospace developments across the continent and beyond. Over a journalism career spanning more than 25 years, Thomas has become known for making complex defense and aerospace topics accessible to a broad audience. His reporting combines technical expertise, historical context, and a focus on the real-world operational and strategic implications of military developments. ### Author social links [Twitter]()