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Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk

January 01, 1970

"HH-60" redirects here. For the US Coast Guard HH-60J Jayhawk, see HH-60 Jayhawk.

The Sikorsky MH-60/HH-60 Pave Hawk is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility military helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. The HH-60 Pave Hawk and its successor the HH-60W Jolly Green II are combat rescue helicopters, though in practice they often serve humanitarian and peacetime disaster rescue. It is a derivative of the UH-60 Black Hawk and incorporates the US Air Force PAVE electronic systems program. The HH-60/MH-60 is a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family.

HH-60 / MH-60 Pave Hawk
HH-60W Jolly Green II
U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk
Role Combat search and rescue helicopter
Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Introduction 1982[1]
Status In service
Primary users United States Air Force
Republic of Korea Air Force
Number built 112 (HH-60G Pave Hawk)[2]
Developed from Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk

The MH-60G Pave Hawk's primary mission is insertion and recovery of special operations personnel, while the HH-60G Pave Hawk's core mission is recovery of personnel under hostile conditions, including combat search and rescue. Both versions conduct day or night operations into hostile environments. Because of its versatility, the HH-60G may also perform peacetime operations such as civil search and rescue, emergency aeromedical evacuation (MEDEVAC), disaster relief, international aid and counter-drug activities.

The USAF HH/MH-60G are in the process of being replaced by the new HH-60W Jolly Green II starting in the 2020s, with both types being operating during that time. The HH-60P is operated by South Korea.

Design and development edit

In 1981, the U.S. Air Force chose the UH-60A Black Hawk to replace its HH-3E Jolly Green Giant helicopters. After acquiring some UH-60s, the Air Force began upgrading each with an air refueling probe and additional fuel tanks in the cabin. The machine guns were changed from 7.62 mm (0.308 in) M60s to .50 caliber (12.7 mm) XM218s. These helicopters were referred to as "Credible Hawks" and entered service in 1987.[3]

Afterwards, the Credible Hawks and new UH-60As were upgraded and designated MH-60G Pave Hawk. These upgrades were to be done in a two-step process. However, funding allowed only 16 Credible Hawks to receive the second step equipment. These helicopters were allocated to special operations use. The remaining 82 Credible Hawks received the first step upgrade equipment and were used for combat search and rescue. In 1991, these search and rescue Pave Hawks were redesignated HH-60G.[3][4]

The Pave Hawk is a highly modified version of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk.[5] It features an upgraded communications and navigation suite that includes an integrated inertial navigation/global positioning/Doppler navigation systems, satellite communications, secure voice, and Have Quick communications. The term PAVE stands for Precision Avionics Vectoring Equipment.

 
An HH-60G at the 2007 Paris Air Show

All HH-60Gs have an automatic flight control system, night vision goggles lighting and forward looking infrared system that greatly enhances night low-level operations. Additionally, some Pave Hawks have color weather radar and an engine/rotor blade anti-ice system that gives the HH-60G an all-weather capability. Pave Hawk mission equipment includes a retractable in-flight refueling probe, internal auxiliary fuel tanks, two crew-served (or pilot-controlled) 7.62 mm miniguns or .50-caliber machine guns and an 8,000 pound (3,600 kg) capacity cargo hook. To improve air transportability and shipboard operations, all HH-60Gs have folding rotor blades.

Pave Hawk combat enhancements include a radar warning receiver, infrared jammer and a flare/chaff countermeasure dispensing system. HH-60G rescue equipment includes a hoist capable of lifting a 600-pound (270 kg) load from a hover height of 200 feet (60 m), and a personnel locating system. A number of Pave Hawks are equipped with an over-the-horizon tactical data receiver that is capable of receiving near real-time mission update information.[6]

Replacement edit

 
HH-60W in June 2022

In 1999, the USAF identified a need for a helicopter with improved range, speed, and cabin space. An options analysis was completed in 2002 and funding for 141 aircraft under the "personnel recovery vehicle" program began in 2004. In 2005, it was renamed CSAR-X, meaning combat search and rescue. Sikorsky entered the HH-92 Superhawk, Lockheed Martin entered the VH-71 Kestrel, and Boeing entered the HH-47 Chinook. The HH-47 won the competition in November 2006, but the award was cancelled after successful protests from both rival competitors. A Request for Proposals (RFP) was reissued in 2007, but protested again before proposals were received, leading to a second cancellation.[7] In March 2010, the USAF announced a recapitalization plan to return its 99-aircraft inventory to 112 airframes, incrementally replacing aging HH-60Gs; a secondary plan to replace 13 attrition HH-60s, seven of which were lost in combat since 2001, was also initiated. The USAF deferred secondary combat search and rescue requirements calling for a larger helicopter. A UH-60M-based version was offered as a replacement.[8][9][10]

On 22 October 2012, the USAF issued an RFP for up to 112 Combat Rescue Helicopters (CRH) to replace the HH-60G with the primary mission of personnel recovery from hostile territory; other missions include civil search and rescue, disaster relief, casualty and medical evacuation.[11] It had to have a combat radius of 225 nmi (259 mi; 417 km), a payload of 1,500 lb (680 kg), and space for up to four stretchers. The AgustaWestland AW101 was one entrant.[12] By December 2012, competitors AgustaWestland, EADS, Boeing, and Bell Helicopter had withdrawn amid claims that the RFP favored Sikorsky and did not reward rival aircraft's capabilities.[13][14] The USAF argued that the competition was not written to favor Sikorsky, and that the terms were clear as to the capabilities they wanted and could afford. Sikorsky was the only bidder remaining, with subcontractor Lockheed Martin supplying mission equipment and the electronic survivability suite. Sikorsky and the USAF extensively evaluated the proposed CRH-60, a variant of the MH-60 special operations helicopter;[15] the CRH-60 differed from the MH-60 by its greater payload and cabin capacity, wider rotor blades, and better hover capability.[7]

In September 2013, the initial USAF FY 2015 budget proposal would have cancelled the CRH program due to sequestration budget cuts, instead retaining the existing HH-60 fleet.[16][17] Congress allocated over $300 million to the program in FY 2014, with $430 million to be moved from other areas through FY 2019 to finance it.[18] On 26 June 2014, the USAF awarded Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin a $1.3 billion contract for the first four aircraft, with 112 total to be procured for a total of up to $7.9 billion.[19] Five more are to be delivered by 2020 and the order is to be completed by 2029.[20] On 24 November 2014, the Air Force officially designated the UH-60M-derived CRH the HH-60W.[1] It first flew on 17 May 2019.[21] In February 2020, the HH-60W was named the "Jolly Green II" by the USAF.[22] The 41st Rescue Squadron received the first two HH-60W helicopters on 5 November 2020.[23]

Operational history edit

 
An HH-60G about to refuel from a USAF HC-130P
 
Sri Lankan relief workers unload vegetables from an HH-60G during an Operation Unified Assistance mission

As of 2015, the U.S. Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk was operated by the Air Combat Command (ACC), U.S. Air Forces in Europe (USAFE), Pacific Air Forces (PACAF), Air Education and Training Command (AETC), the Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) and the Air National Guard (ANG). Some HH-60Gs are also operated by the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) for flight tests.[6]

During Operation Desert Storm, Pave Hawks provided combat search and rescue coverage for coalition air forces in western Iraq, Saudi Arabia, coastal Kuwait and the Persian Gulf. They also provided emergency evacuation coverage for U.S. Navy SEAL teams landing on the Kuwaiti coast before the invasion.[6]

The Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) got rid of its MH-60Gs in 1991, redesignating them as HH-60Gs and giving them to Air Combat Command (ACC) and ACC-gained Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard units.[3][4]

On 29 October 1992, a MH-60G Pave Hawk crashed in the Great Salt Lake of Utah about 100 yards north of Antelope Island during a training exercise in bad weather. Twelve members of the Army's 75th Ranger Regiment and the Air Force's 1st Special Operations Wing died in the accident. The pilot, Air Force Maj. Stephan J. Laushine, was the only survivor.[24]

During Operation Allied Force, the Pave Hawk provided continuous combat search and rescue coverage for NATO air forces, and recovered two U.S. Air Force pilots who were isolated behind enemy lines.[6]

In March 2000, three Pave Hawks deployed to Hoedspruit Air Force Base in South Africa to support international flood relief operations in Mozambique. The HH-60Gs flew 240 missions in 17 days and delivered more than 160 tons of humanitarian relief supplies.[6]

In early 2005, Air Force Pave Hawks also took part in a massive humanitarian relief effort to help in Sri Lankan victims of the tsunami.[25] In the fall of 2005, Pave Hawks from various Air Force commands helped rescue thousands of stranded survivors of Hurricane Katrina.[6]

Pave Hawks operated during Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, and Operation Enduring Freedom, supporting Army and Marine Corps ground combat operations and standby search and rescue support for U.S. and coalition fixed-wing combat aircraft.[6]

On 15 March 2018, a CSAR HH-60G crashed near the Iraqi city of al-Qa'im, killing all seven on board.[26]

Variants edit

 
Exercises with a HH-60 Pave Hawk in 2010
  • HH-60A: Prototype for the HH-60D rescue helicopter. A modified UH-60A primarily designed for combat search and rescue. It is equipped with a rescue hoist with a 200 ft (60.96 m) cable that has a 600 lb (270 kg) lift capability, and a retractable in-flight refueling probe.[27]
  • HH-60D Night Hawk: Prototype of combat rescue variant for the US Air Force.
  • HH-60E: Proposed search and rescue variant for the US Air Force.
  • HH-60G Pave Hawk: Search and rescue helicopter for the US Air Force upgraded from UH-60A Credible Hawk.
  • MH-60G Pave Hawk: Special Operations, search and rescue model for the US Air Force. Equipped with long-range fuel tanks, air-to-air refueling capability, FLIR, improved radar. Powered by T-700-GE-700/701 engines.[27]
  • Maplehawk: Proposed search and rescue version for the Canadian Forces to replace aging CH-113 Labradors.[28] The CF opted for the CH-149 Cormorant instead.
  • HH-60P Pave Hawk: Combat Search and Rescue variant of UH-60P, in service with Republic of Korea Air Force.[29] Variant includes External Tank System and FLIR for night operations.[30]
  • HH-60U: The Air Force has four HH-60U "Ghost Hawks", which are converted "M" variants that are based at Area 51.[31]
  • HH-60W Jolly Green II: Combat rescue helicopter variant of the UH-60M for the U.S. Air Force to replace the HH-60G.[1]

Operators edit

 
An Republic of Korea Air Force HH-60P conducting mountain rescue training in April 2011.

  Republic of Korea

  United States

Specifications (HH-60G) edit

 

Data from USAF 2008 Almanac[5] USAF fact sheet,[6]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 4(two pilots, two special mission aviators/aerial gunners)
  • Capacity: maximum crew six / eight–twelve troops / litters and/or other cargo
  • Length: 64 ft 10 in (19.76 m)
  • Height: 16 ft 8 in (5.08 m)
  • Empty weight: 16,000 lb (7,257 kg)
  • Max takeoff weight: 22,000 lb (9,979 kg)
  • Powerplant: 2 × General Electric T700-GE-700 / -701C turboshaft engines, 1,940 shp (1,450 kW) each
  • Main rotor diameter: 52 ft 8 in (16.05 m)

Performance

  • Maximum speed: 193 kn (222 mph, 357 km/h)
  • Cruise speed: 159 kn (183 mph, 294 km/h)
  • Range: 504 nmi (580 mi, 933 km)
  • Ferry range: 441 nmi (507 mi, 817 km)
  • Service ceiling: 14,000 ft (4,300 m)

Armament

Avionics

See also edit

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References edit

Notes
  1. ^ a b c USAF toasts Whiskey designation for CRH fleet 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine - Flightglobal.com, 28 November 2014
  2. ^ "HH-60G Pave Hawk total production".
  3. ^ a b c Eden, Paul. "Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk/Seahawk", Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft. Amber Books, 2004. ISBN 1-904687-84-9.
  4. ^ a b Bishop, Chris. Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk. Osprey, 2008. ISBN 978-1-84176-852-6.
  5. ^ a b Young, Susan H.H., Staff Editor (May 2008). ""HH-60G Pave Hawk", 2008 USAF Almanac – Gallery of USAF Weapons" (PDF). Air Force Magazine. 91 (5). Air Force Association: 155–156. ISSN 0730-6784. (PDF) from the original on 26 February 2009. {{cite journal}}: |first= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h "HH-60G Pave Hawk". United States Air Force. 4 February 2004. from the original on 8 January 2014. Retrieved 8 January 2014.
  7. ^ a b Sikorsky eyes federal budget amid uncertainty over combat rescue helicopter 20 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine - Flightglobal.com, 19 December 2013
  8. ^ Trimble, Stephen. "USAF abandons large helicopter for rescue mission, proposes buying 112 UH-60Ms" 10 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Flight International. 24 February 2010.
  9. ^ USAF HH-60 Personnel Recovery Recapitalization Program (HH-60 Recap) sources sought notice. fbo.gov, Released" 23 March, Revised: 8 April 2010.
  10. ^ Reed, John. "UH-60M Offered For USAF's New CSAR Program". Defense News, 15 July 2010.
  11. ^ Air Force Releases RFP for Next Search And Rescue Helicopter 28 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine Af.mil, 22 October 2012.
  12. ^ US Air Force moves forward with CSAR procurement 19 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine Flightglobal.com, 31 October 2012
  13. ^ Most contractors opt out of Air Force chopper bids 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine Reuters, 11 December 2012.
  14. ^ Sikorsky last bidder standing in USAF's combat rescue helicopter battle 22 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine Flightglobal.com, 12 December 2012.
  15. ^ U.S. Air Force delays rescue helicopter contract award 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine - Reuters.com, 2 August 2013
  16. ^ USAF Weighs Scrapping KC-10, A-10 Fleets Defensenews.com, 15 September 2013.
  17. ^ Aide: Congress Will Fight To Fund Combat Rescue Helo - Defensenews.com, 18 February 2014
  18. ^ USAF to issue contract to Sikorsky for rescue helicopter 6 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine - Flightglobal.com, 4 March 2014
  19. ^ Sikorsky, Lockheed awarded Combat Rescue Helo contract 1 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine - Militarytimes.com, 26 June 2014
  20. ^ Sikorsky awarded up to $7.9 billion rescue helicopter deal 1 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine - Flightglobal.com, 27 June 2014
  21. ^ Update: Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter makes first flight
  22. ^ US Air Force names HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter "Jolly Green II"
  23. ^ "USAF's first HH-60W Jolly Green II arrives at Moody AFB". Air Force. 6 November 2020. Retrieved 20 June 2023.
  24. ^ "MEMORIAL TO HAIL 12 VICTIMS OF '92 COPTER CRASH". Deseret News. 12 August 1994.
  25. ^ Gempis, Master Sgt. Val. "Kadena Airmen help Sri Lanka tsunami victims" 17 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. Air Force Print News, 18 January 2005.
  26. ^ Sullivan, Eileen (16 March 2018). "All 7 U.S. Troops Aboard Helicopter Killed in Crash in Iraq". The New York Times. Retrieved 22 August 2018.
  27. ^ a b DoD 4120-15L, Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles 30 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine. US DoD, 12 May 2004.
  28. ^ Warwick, Graham (27 September 2008). "Level Playing Field?". Flight International. Reed Business Information. from the original on 8 December 2008. Retrieved 8 October 2008.
  29. ^ "South Korea to upgrade special ops UH/HH-60 helicopters".
  30. ^ . Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 20 April 2010.
  31. ^ "Area 51 Has Its Own Unique Fleet Of HH-60U Ghost Hawk Helicopters". thedrive.com. 1 December 2019. Retrieved 19 July 2023.
  32. ^ a b "World Air Forces 2014" (PDF). Flightglobal Insight. 2014. (PDF) from the original on 1 February 2014. Retrieved 10 September 2014.
  33. ^ . af.mil. Archived from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  34. ^ "41st Rescue Squadron". af.mil. from the original on 4 April 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  35. ^ . af.mil. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  36. ^ . af.mil. Archived from the original on 17 December 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  37. ^ . af.mil. Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  38. ^ "101st Rescue Squadron". af.mil. from the original on 15 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  39. ^ . af.mil. Archived from the original on 14 November 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  40. ^ . af.mil. Archived from the original on 13 January 2009. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  41. ^ . af.mil. Archived from the original on 18 August 2016. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  42. ^ . af.mil. Archived from the original on 17 December 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  43. ^ . af.mil. Archived from the original on 27 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
  44. ^ . af.mil. Archived from the original on 17 December 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
Bibliography
  • Leoni, Ray D. Black Hawk: The Story of a World Class Helicopter. American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2007. ISBN 978-1-56347-918-2.
  • Tomajczyk, Stephen F. Black Hawk. MBI, 2003. ISBN 0-7603-1591-4.

External links edit

 
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk.
  • USAF HH-60G Pave Hawk fact sheet
  • HH-60 page and MH-60 page on globalsecurity.org
  • Sikorsky S-70 page on helis.com

January 01, 1970
sikorsky, pave, hawk, redirects, here, coast, guard, jayhawk, jayhawk, sikorsky, pave, hawk, four, blade, twin, engine, medium, lift, utility, military, helicopter, manufactured, sikorsky, aircraft, pave, hawk, successor, jolly, green, combat, rescue, helicopt. HH 60 redirects here For the US Coast Guard HH 60J Jayhawk see HH 60 Jayhawk The Sikorsky MH 60 HH 60 Pave Hawk is a four blade twin engine medium lift utility military helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft The HH 60 Pave Hawk and its successor the HH 60W Jolly Green II are combat rescue helicopters though in practice they often serve humanitarian and peacetime disaster rescue It is a derivative of the UH 60 Black Hawk and incorporates the US Air Force PAVE electronic systems program The HH 60 MH 60 is a member of the Sikorsky S 70 family HH 60 MH 60 Pave Hawk HH 60W Jolly Green II U S Air Force HH 60G Pave Hawk Role Combat search and rescue helicopter Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation Introduction 1982 1 Status In service Primary users United States Air ForceRepublic of Korea Air Force Number built 112 HH 60G Pave Hawk 2 Developed from Sikorsky UH 60 Black Hawk The MH 60G Pave Hawk s primary mission is insertion and recovery of special operations personnel while the HH 60G Pave Hawk s core mission is recovery of personnel under hostile conditions including combat search and rescue Both versions conduct day or night operations into hostile environments Because of its versatility the HH 60G may also perform peacetime operations such as civil search and rescue emergency aeromedical evacuation MEDEVAC disaster relief international aid and counter drug activities The USAF HH MH 60G are in the process of being replaced by the new HH 60W Jolly Green II starting in the 2020s with both types being operating during that time The HH 60P is operated by South Korea Contents 1 Design and development 1 1 Replacement 2 Operational history 3 Variants 4 Operators 5 Specifications HH 60G 6 See also 7 References 8 External linksDesign and development editIn 1981 the U S Air Force chose the UH 60A Black Hawk to replace its HH 3E Jolly Green Giant helicopters After acquiring some UH 60s the Air Force began upgrading each with an air refueling probe and additional fuel tanks in the cabin The machine guns were changed from 7 62 mm 0 308 in M60s to 50 caliber 12 7 mm XM218s These helicopters were referred to as Credible Hawks and entered service in 1987 3 Afterwards the Credible Hawks and new UH 60As were upgraded and designated MH 60G Pave Hawk These upgrades were to be done in a two step process However funding allowed only 16 Credible Hawks to receive the second step equipment These helicopters were allocated to special operations use The remaining 82 Credible Hawks received the first step upgrade equipment and were used for combat search and rescue In 1991 these search and rescue Pave Hawks were redesignated HH 60G 3 4 The Pave Hawk is a highly modified version of the Sikorsky UH 60 Black Hawk 5 It features an upgraded communications and navigation suite that includes an integrated inertial navigation global positioning Doppler navigation systems satellite communications secure voice and Have Quick communications The term PAVE stands for Precision Avionics Vectoring Equipment nbsp An HH 60G at the 2007 Paris Air Show All HH 60Gs have an automatic flight control system night vision goggles lighting and forward looking infrared system that greatly enhances night low level operations Additionally some Pave Hawks have color weather radar and an engine rotor blade anti ice system that gives the HH 60G an all weather capability Pave Hawk mission equipment includes a retractable in flight refueling probe internal auxiliary fuel tanks two crew served or pilot controlled 7 62 mm miniguns or 50 caliber machine guns and an 8 000 pound 3 600 kg capacity cargo hook To improve air transportability and shipboard operations all HH 60Gs have folding rotor blades Pave Hawk combat enhancements include a radar warning receiver infrared jammer and a flare chaff countermeasure dispensing system HH 60G rescue equipment includes a hoist capable of lifting a 600 pound 270 kg load from a hover height of 200 feet 60 m and a personnel locating system A number of Pave Hawks are equipped with an over the horizon tactical data receiver that is capable of receiving near real time mission update information 6 Replacement edit nbsp HH 60W in June 2022 In 1999 the USAF identified a need for a helicopter with improved range speed and cabin space An options analysis was completed in 2002 and funding for 141 aircraft under the personnel recovery vehicle program began in 2004 In 2005 it was renamed CSAR X meaning combat search and rescue Sikorsky entered the HH 92 Superhawk Lockheed Martin entered the VH 71 Kestrel and Boeing entered the HH 47 Chinook The HH 47 won the competition in November 2006 but the award was cancelled after successful protests from both rival competitors A Request for Proposals RFP was reissued in 2007 but protested again before proposals were received leading to a second cancellation 7 In March 2010 the USAF announced a recapitalization plan to return its 99 aircraft inventory to 112 airframes incrementally replacing aging HH 60Gs a secondary plan to replace 13 attrition HH 60s seven of which were lost in combat since 2001 was also initiated The USAF deferred secondary combat search and rescue requirements calling for a larger helicopter A UH 60M based version was offered as a replacement 8 9 10 On 22 October 2012 the USAF issued an RFP for up to 112 Combat Rescue Helicopters CRH to replace the HH 60G with the primary mission of personnel recovery from hostile territory other missions include civil search and rescue disaster relief casualty and medical evacuation 11 It had to have a combat radius of 225 nmi 259 mi 417 km a payload of 1 500 lb 680 kg and space for up to four stretchers The AgustaWestland AW101 was one entrant 12 By December 2012 competitors AgustaWestland EADS Boeing and Bell Helicopter had withdrawn amid claims that the RFP favored Sikorsky and did not reward rival aircraft s capabilities 13 14 The USAF argued that the competition was not written to favor Sikorsky and that the terms were clear as to the capabilities they wanted and could afford Sikorsky was the only bidder remaining with subcontractor Lockheed Martin supplying mission equipment and the electronic survivability suite Sikorsky and the USAF extensively evaluated the proposed CRH 60 a variant of the MH 60 special operations helicopter 15 the CRH 60 differed from the MH 60 by its greater payload and cabin capacity wider rotor blades and better hover capability 7 In September 2013 the initial USAF FY 2015 budget proposal would have cancelled the CRH program due to sequestration budget cuts instead retaining the existing HH 60 fleet 16 17 Congress allocated over 300 million to the program in FY 2014 with 430 million to be moved from other areas through FY 2019 to finance it 18 On 26 June 2014 the USAF awarded Sikorsky and Lockheed Martin a 1 3 billion contract for the first four aircraft with 112 total to be procured for a total of up to 7 9 billion 19 Five more are to be delivered by 2020 and the order is to be completed by 2029 20 On 24 November 2014 the Air Force officially designated the UH 60M derived CRH the HH 60W 1 It first flew on 17 May 2019 21 In February 2020 the HH 60W was named the Jolly Green II by the USAF 22 The 41st Rescue Squadron received the first two HH 60W helicopters on 5 November 2020 23 Operational history edit nbsp An HH 60G about to refuel from a USAF HC 130P nbsp Sri Lankan relief workers unload vegetables from an HH 60G during an Operation Unified Assistance mission As of 2015 the U S Air Force HH 60G Pave Hawk was operated by the Air Combat Command ACC U S Air Forces in Europe USAFE Pacific Air Forces PACAF Air Education and Training Command AETC the Air Force Reserve Command AFRC and the Air National Guard ANG Some HH 60Gs are also operated by the Air Force Materiel Command AFMC for flight tests 6 During Operation Desert Storm Pave Hawks provided combat search and rescue coverage for coalition air forces in western Iraq Saudi Arabia coastal Kuwait and the Persian Gulf They also provided emergency evacuation coverage for U S Navy SEAL teams landing on the Kuwaiti coast before the invasion 6 The Air Force Special Operations Command AFSOC got rid of its MH 60Gs in 1991 redesignating them as HH 60Gs and giving them to Air Combat Command ACC and ACC gained Air Force Reserve Command and Air National Guard units 3 4 On 29 October 1992 a MH 60G Pave Hawk crashed in the Great Salt Lake of Utah about 100 yards north of Antelope Island during a training exercise in bad weather Twelve members of the Army s 75th Ranger Regiment and the Air Force s 1st Special Operations Wing died in the accident The pilot Air Force Maj Stephan J Laushine was the only survivor 24 During Operation Allied Force the Pave Hawk provided continuous combat search and rescue coverage for NATO air forces and recovered two U S Air Force pilots who were isolated behind enemy lines 6 In March 2000 three Pave Hawks deployed to Hoedspruit Air Force Base in South Africa to support international flood relief operations in Mozambique The HH 60Gs flew 240 missions in 17 days and delivered more than 160 tons of humanitarian relief supplies 6 In early 2005 Air Force Pave Hawks also took part in a massive humanitarian relief effort to help in Sri Lankan victims of the tsunami 25 In the fall of 2005 Pave Hawks from various Air Force commands helped rescue thousands of stranded survivors of Hurricane Katrina 6 Pave Hawks operated during Operation Iraqi Freedom Operation New Dawn and Operation Enduring Freedom supporting Army and Marine Corps ground combat operations and standby search and rescue support for U S and coalition fixed wing combat aircraft 6 On 15 March 2018 a CSAR HH 60G crashed near the Iraqi city of al Qa im killing all seven on board 26 Variants edit nbsp Exercises with a HH 60 Pave Hawk in 2010 HH 60A Prototype for the HH 60D rescue helicopter A modified UH 60A primarily designed for combat search and rescue It is equipped with a rescue hoist with a 200 ft 60 96 m cable that has a 600 lb 270 kg lift capability and a retractable in flight refueling probe 27 HH 60D Night Hawk Prototype of combat rescue variant for the US Air Force HH 60E Proposed search and rescue variant for the US Air Force HH 60G Pave Hawk Search and rescue helicopter for the US Air Force upgraded from UH 60A Credible Hawk MH 60G Pave Hawk Special Operations search and rescue model for the US Air Force Equipped with long range fuel tanks air to air refueling capability FLIR improved radar Powered by T 700 GE 700 701 engines 27 Maplehawk Proposed search and rescue version for the Canadian Forces to replace aging CH 113 Labradors 28 The CF opted for the CH 149 Cormorant instead HH 60P Pave Hawk Combat Search and Rescue variant of UH 60P in service with Republic of Korea Air Force 29 Variant includes External Tank System and FLIR for night operations 30 HH 60U The Air Force has four HH 60U Ghost Hawks which are converted M variants that are based at Area 51 31 HH 60W Jolly Green II Combat rescue helicopter variant of the UH 60M for the U S Air Force to replace the HH 60G 1 Operators edit nbsp An Republic of Korea Air Force HH 60P conducting mountain rescue training in April 2011 nbsp Republic of Korea Republic of Korea Air Force operates HH 60P helicopters 32 nbsp United States United States Air Force 32 33d Rescue Squadron 33 34th Weapons Squadron 38th Rescue Squadron 41st Rescue Squadron 34 55th Rescue Squadron 35 56th Rescue Squadron 36 66th Rescue Squadron 37 101st Rescue Squadron 38 New York Air National Guard 129th Rescue Squadron 39 California Air National Guard 210th Rescue Squadron 40 Alaska Air National Guard 301st Rescue Squadron 41 Air Force Reserve Command 305th Rescue Squadron 42 Air Force Reserve Command 413th Flight Test Squadron 43 Air Force Materiel Command 512th Rescue Squadron 44 Air Education amp Training Command Specifications HH 60G edit nbsp Data from USAF 2008 Almanac 5 USAF fact sheet 6 General characteristicsCrew 4 two pilots two special mission aviators aerial gunners Capacity maximum crew six eight twelve troops litters and or other cargo Length 64 ft 10 in 19 76 m Height 16 ft 8 in 5 08 m Empty weight 16 000 lb 7 257 kg Max takeoff weight 22 000 lb 9 979 kg Powerplant 2 General Electric T700 GE 700 701C turboshaft engines 1 940 shp 1 450 kW each Main rotor diameter 52 ft 8 in 16 05 m Performance Maximum speed 193 kn 222 mph 357 km h Cruise speed 159 kn 183 mph 294 km h Range 504 nmi 580 mi 933 km Ferry range 441 nmi 507 mi 817 km Service ceiling 14 000 ft 4 300 m Armament 2 7 62 mm 0 308 in miniguns or 2 50 caliber 12 7 mm GAU 18 A heavy machine guns Avionics INS GPS Doppler navigation SATCOM satellite communications Secure anti jam communications LARS Lightweight Airborne Recovery System range steering radio to compatible survivor radios Automatic flight control night vision goggle lighting forward looking infrared Color weather radar RWR combat enhancement Infrared jamming unit flare chaff countermeasure dispensing systemSee also edit nbsp Aviation portal U S helicopter armament subsystems Related development Sikorsky H 92 Superhawk Sikorsky MH 60 Jayhawk Sikorsky S 70 Sikorsky SH 60 Seahawk Sikorsky UH 60 Black Hawk Aircraft of comparable role configuration and era Boeing MH 47E G Sikorsky MH 53 Pave Low Related lists List of active United States military aircraft List of rotorcraft List of Sikorsky S 70 ModelsReferences editNotes a b c USAF toasts Whiskey designation for CRH fleet Archived 5 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine Flightglobal com 28 November 2014 HH 60G Pave Hawk total production a b c Eden Paul Sikorsky H 60 Black Hawk Seahawk Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft Amber Books 2004 ISBN 1 904687 84 9 a b Bishop Chris Sikorsky UH 60 Black Hawk Osprey 2008 ISBN 978 1 84176 852 6 a b Young Susan H H Staff Editor May 2008 HH 60G Pave Hawk 2008 USAF Almanac Gallery of USAF Weapons PDF Air Force Magazine 91 5 Air Force Association 155 156 ISSN 0730 6784 Archived PDF from the original on 26 February 2009 a href Template Cite journal html title Template Cite journal cite journal a first has generic name help CS1 maint multiple names authors list link a b c d e f g h HH 60G Pave Hawk United States Air Force 4 February 2004 Archived from the original on 8 January 2014 Retrieved 8 January 2014 a b Sikorsky eyes federal budget amid uncertainty over combat rescue helicopter Archived 20 December 2013 at the Wayback Machine Flightglobal com 19 December 2013 Trimble Stephen USAF abandons large helicopter for rescue mission proposes buying 112 UH 60Ms Archived 10 October 2016 at the Wayback Machine Flight International 24 February 2010 USAF HH 60 Personnel Recovery Recapitalization Program HH 60 Recap sources sought notice fbo gov Released 23 March Revised 8 April 2010 Reed John UH 60M Offered For USAF s New CSAR Program Defense News 15 July 2010 Air Force Releases RFP for Next Search And Rescue Helicopter Archived 28 December 2012 at the Wayback Machine Af mil 22 October 2012 US Air Force moves forward with CSAR procurement Archived 19 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine Flightglobal com 31 October 2012 Most contractors opt out of Air Force chopper bids Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine Reuters 11 December 2012 Sikorsky last bidder standing in USAF s combat rescue helicopter battle Archived 22 March 2013 at the Wayback Machine Flightglobal com 12 December 2012 U S Air Force delays rescue helicopter contract award Archived 24 September 2015 at the Wayback Machine Reuters com 2 August 2013 USAF Weighs Scrapping KC 10 A 10 Fleets Defensenews com 15 September 2013 Aide Congress Will Fight To Fund Combat Rescue Helo Defensenews com 18 February 2014 USAF to issue contract to Sikorsky for rescue helicopter Archived 6 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine Flightglobal com 4 March 2014 Sikorsky Lockheed awarded Combat Rescue Helo contract Archived 1 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine Militarytimes com 26 June 2014 Sikorsky awarded up to 7 9 billion rescue helicopter deal Archived 1 July 2014 at the Wayback Machine Flightglobal com 27 June 2014 Update Sikorsky HH 60W Combat Rescue Helicopter makes first flight US Air Force names HH 60W Combat Rescue Helicopter Jolly Green II USAF s first HH 60W Jolly Green II arrives at Moody AFB Air Force 6 November 2020 Retrieved 20 June 2023 MEMORIAL TO HAIL 12 VICTIMS OF 92 COPTER CRASH Deseret News 12 August 1994 Gempis Master Sgt Val Kadena Airmen help Sri Lanka tsunami victims Archived 17 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine Air Force Print News 18 January 2005 Sullivan Eileen 16 March 2018 All 7 U S Troops Aboard Helicopter Killed in Crash in Iraq The New York Times Retrieved 22 August 2018 a b DoD 4120 15L Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles Archived 30 September 2007 at the Wayback Machine US DoD 12 May 2004 Warwick Graham 27 September 2008 Level Playing Field Flight International Reed Business Information Archived from the original on 8 December 2008 Retrieved 8 October 2008 South Korea to upgrade special ops UH HH 60 helicopters HH 60P image Archived from the original on 3 March 2016 Retrieved 20 April 2010 Area 51 Has Its Own Unique Fleet Of HH 60U Ghost Hawk Helicopters thedrive com 1 December 2019 Retrieved 19 July 2023 a b World Air Forces 2014 PDF Flightglobal Insight 2014 Archived PDF from the original on 1 February 2014 Retrieved 10 September 2014 33d Rescue Squadron af mil Archived from the original on 4 April 2015 Retrieved 21 October 2014 41st Rescue Squadron af mil Archived from the original on 4 April 2015 Retrieved 21 October 2014 55th Rescue Squadron af mil Archived from the original on 22 December 2015 Retrieved 21 October 2014 56th Rescue Squadron af mil Archived from the original on 17 December 2014 Retrieved 21 October 2014 66th Rescue Squadron af mil Archived from the original on 22 December 2015 Retrieved 21 October 2014 101st Rescue Squadron af mil Archived from the original on 15 October 2014 Retrieved 21 October 2014 129th Rescue Squadron af mil Archived from the original on 14 November 2014 Retrieved 21 October 2014 210th Rescue Squadron af mil Archived from the original on 13 January 2009 Retrieved 21 October 2014 301st Rescue Squadron af mil Archived from the original on 18 August 2016 Retrieved 21 October 2014 305th Rescue Squadron af mil Archived from the original on 17 December 2014 Retrieved 21 October 2014 413th Flight Test Squadron af mil Archived from the original on 27 October 2014 Retrieved 21 October 2014 512th Rescue Squadron af mil Archived from the original on 17 December 2014 Retrieved 21 October 2014 Bibliography Leoni Ray D Black Hawk The Story of a World Class Helicopter American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics 2007 ISBN 978 1 56347 918 2 Tomajczyk Stephen F Black Hawk MBI 2003 ISBN 0 7603 1591 4 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Sikorsky HH 60 Pave Hawk USAF HH 60G Pave Hawk fact sheet HH 60 page and MH 60 page on globalsecurity org Sikorsky S 70 page on helis com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Sikorsky HH 60 Pave Hawk amp oldid 1217600556, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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