Helicopter requirements are generally based on the doctrine. USN doctrine is to have an SSN with Task Groups to provide the main ASW punch. They also have carriers and LPD's that carry lots of extra helicopters that can do tasks and keep up a constant ASW picket with them. As such they don't focus on surface ship ASW quite like we do. It also means they can send an 60R with just a sensor out and have another in standby with a torp on it.
UK is more like us with many ships sailing in groupings without a carrier, thus want heavier helos to backfill those gaps. So they use a Merlin. And our current helo came from the anything but Merlin contract so here we are.
Hercs doing tactical flying in the dark is usually good enough.
Or @Good2Golf flying NAP - one of my worst vertigo incidents even was in an old 135 near Connaught Ranges. The crew got a 7/8 for passengers being sick.
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