Sikorsky and CAE develop digital Magnetic Anomaly Detector for MH-60R

Sikorsky and CAE are collaborating with the US Navy and Royal Australian Navy (RAN) to integrate, test and optimize the CAE Magnetic Anomaly Detection-Extended Role (MAD-XR) system for installation aboard the two countries’ MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.

Designed and built by CAE and integrated with the aircraft’s primary mission computer by Sikorsky, the passive digital MAD sensor will give the maritime helicopter a powerful new tool to detect and track submarines below the sea surface, says Lockheed martin, which now owns Sikorsky.

“MH-60R operators now have the option to significantly upgrade their anti-submarine warfare capability using a small, removeable device that senses changes in the Earth’s magnetic field caused by large metallic objects in the water,” said Tish Rourke, Sikorsky Maritime Systems vice president. “With recent upgrades to mission computer software, this non-acoustic digital MAD sensor can easily be installed into any operational MH-60R aircraft and can operate independently or collaboratively with other mission systems, such as the aircraft’s sonobuoys or long-range active dipping sonar.”

The very compact CAE MAD-XR consists of highly sensitive magnetometers and a processor/interface unit weighing less than 9 kg, including cabling and mounting hardware. An audio alert informs the crew of a detected object, while the display provides contact and range details. The device can be installed inside an MH-60R aircraft tail cone without any permanent airframe modification and can be quickly removed and installed on another MH-60R aircraft as operationally needed.

“CAE’s MAD-XR offers a cutting-edge solution to detect and track submarines and other underwater threats, significantly enhancing military aircraft capabilities – it is the trusted choice for defence and security applications worldwide,” said France Hébert, CAE’s Division President, Defense & Security Canada and Global Operations Lead. Canadian firm CAE has significant expertise in designing and manufacturing digital magnetic anomaly detection systems.

Two events occurred to bring the digital MAD capability to the MH-60R fleet. In early 2024, the US Navy released new software and hardware to MH-60R operators that will allow MH-60R aircraft to accept the digital MAD system. The capability was included in advanced technology upgrades the US Navy releases to MH-60R operators every other year to ensure mission effectiveness and operational readiness.

In September 2024, Sikorsky was awarded a $21 million US Navy contract, with CAE subsequently subcontracted, to deliver 20 DMAD kits for the RAN, six for the US Navy and and two for evaluation by the US Navy Reserve. Deliveries are to be completed in May 2026. The contract includes options for additional U.S. Navy orders of 24 kits each in 2025 and 2026.

The CAE MAD-XR sensor offers significant improvements over the AN/ASQ-81 Magnetic Anomaly Detection (MAD) sensor installed on former U.S. Navy SH-60B helicopters, says Sikorsky. Externally mounted and attached to the aircraft via a cable and reeling machine, the previous MAD sensor weighed 90lb and trailed in the air a short distance behind the aircraft.