Was the US Navy right to replace the SH-2 Seasprite with the larger SH-60 Seahawk when some ships could not accommodate it?
Short answerYes; the Seahawk's space, ASW fit, growth potential, and ability to team with uncrewed systems outweigh the compatibility loss.
NotesThe SH-60 Seahawk is favored as the longer-term choice despite its larger footprint. Extra internal space creates more mission options and room for later growth. It also fits the US Navy's anti-submarine doctrine more naturally than the smaller Seasprite. The answer anticipates crewed helicopters working with uncrewed aviation as force multipliers, making payload and systems capacity increasingly valuable.