| HH-60 Pave Hawk | |
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| USAF HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter | |
| Type | Combat Search and Rescue helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation |
| Status | Active: 68 Reserve: 15 ANG: 18[1] |
| Primary user | United States Air Force |
| Unit cost | US$15.8 million |
| Developed from | Sikorsky S-70 |
| Variants | UH-60 Black Hawk SH-60 Seahawk HH-60J Jayhawk |
The Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk is a combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter derivative of the Sikorsky S-70 family. The HH-60's primary function is to conduct day or night combat search and rescue (CSAR) operations into hostile environments to recover downed aircrew or other isolated personnel during war. Because of its versatility, the HH-60G may also perform peace-time operations. Such tasks include civil search and rescue, emergency aeromedical evacuation (MEDEVAC), disaster relief, international aid, counter-drug activities and NASA space shuttle support.
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Design and development
The Pave Hawk is a highly-modified version of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, manufactured by United Technologies's Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and first deployed in 1982.[2] 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.
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 that is compatible with the PRC-112 survival radio and provides range and bearing information to a survivor's location. A limited 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.
Operational history
The Pave Hawk is a twin-engine medium-lift helicopter operated by Air Combat Command (ACC), Pacific Air Forces, Air Education and Training Command, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Command.[3] 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 sea, air and land (SEAL) teams penetrating the Kuwaiti coast before the invasion.[3] During Operation Allied Force, the Pave Hawk provided continuous combat search and rescue coverage for NATO air forces, and successfully recovered two U.S. Air Force pilots who were isolated behind enemy lines.[3] 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.[3] Air Force Pave Hawks from the Pacific Theatre also took part in a massive humanitarian relief effort in early 2005 in Sri Lanka to help victims of the tsunami.[4] In the fall of 2005, Pave Hawks from various Air Force commands participated in rescue operations of Hurricane Katrina survivors, rescuing thousands of stranded people. Currently, Pave Hawks regularly operate in Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom supporting Army combat operations.
Variants
- HH-60A: Prototype for the HH-60D rescue helicopter.
- HH-60D: Prototype of early search and 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.
- MH-60G Pave Hawk: Special Operations, search and rescue model for the U.S. Air Force.
- Maplehawk: Proposed search and rescue version for Canada.
Operators
Section information from USAF 2007 Almanac [2] 
United States
- Davis-Monthan AFB and AFRC, AZ -- 305th RQS (AFRC) and 55th RQS (Active Duty)
- Kadena AB, Japan -- 18th Wing
- Kirtland AFB, NM -- 150th Fighter Wing
- Alaska ANG, Kulis ANGB, AK -- 176th Wing
- RAF Lakenheath, UK -- 48th Fighter Wing
- California ANG, Moffett Field ANG, CA -- 129th Rescue Wing
- Moody AFB, GA -- 23d Wing
- Nellis AFB, NV -- 53rd Wing
- New York ANG, Francis S. Gabreski Airport, NY -- 106th Rescue Wing
- Patrick AFB, FL -- 920th Rescue Wing (AFRC)
Specifications (HH-60G)
Data from USAF 2007 Almanac[2]
General characteristics
- Crew: 4 (2 pilots, flight engineer, gunner)
- Capacity: max. crew 6, 8-12 troops, plus litters and/or other cargo
- Length: 64 ft 10 in (64.7 ft) (17.1 m)
- Rotor diameter: 53 ft 8 in (53.6 ft) (14.1 m)
- Height: 16 ft 8 in (16.7 ft) (5.1 m)
- Empty weight: 16,000 lb (7,260 kg)
- Loaded weight: 22,000 lb, max. (9,525 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 22,000 lb (9,900 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× two General Electric T700-GE-700/701C free-turbine turboshafts, 1,630 shp (1,220 kW) each
Performance
- Maximum speed: 193kts (173 mph) (295 km/h)
- Range: 373 miles (internal tanks), or 508 miles (with external tanks), plus unlimited with air refueling ()
- Service ceiling 14,000 ft ()
- Rate of climb: ft/min (m/s)
- Disc loading: lb/ft² (kg/m²)
- Power/mass: hp/lb (kW/kg)
Armament
- 2x 7.62 mm mini-guns or 2x 0.50 cal machine guns in cabin doors
Onboard Systems
- INS/GPS/Doppler navigation
- SATCOM satellite communications
- Secure/anti-jam communications
- PLS range/steering radio to compatible survivor radios
- Automatic flight control
- NVG night vision goggle lighting
- FLIR forward looking infra-red radar
- Color weather radar
- Engine/rotor blade anti-ice system
- Retractable In-flight refueling probe
- Integral rescue hoist
- RWB combat enhancement
- IR infra-red jamming unit
- flare/chaff countermeasure dispensing system
References
- ^ Mehuron, Tamar A., Assoc. Editor (May 2007). "2007 USAF Almanac - Equipment". AIR FORCE MAGAZINE, Journal of the Air Force Association 90 (5): p.62. Air Force Association. ISSN: 0730-6784.All figures, as of 30 Sept 2007.
- ^ a b c Young, Susan H.H., Staff Editor (May 2007). "2007 USAF Almanac - Gallery of USAF Weapons". AIR FORCE MAGAZINE, Journal of the Air Force Association 90 (5): pp.151-158. Air Force Association. ISSN: 0730-6784.HH-60G Pave Hawk.
- ^ a b c d United States Air Force. HH-60G Pave Hawk Factsheets. July 2006. Accessed May 14, 2007.
- ^ Kadena Airmen help Sri Lanka tsunami victims, Air Force Print News by Master Sgt. Val Gempis
Related content
Related development
Comparable aircraft
Designation sequence
- U.S. Military:
- Sikorsky:
Related lists
See also
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Airplanes: S-29-A · S-38 · S-39 · S-40 · S-42 · S-43 · VS-44 |
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