Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II

History of the Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II

During the Cold War, the USAF utilized modified Sikorsky CH-3E Sea Kings, designated HH-3E "Happy Green Giant," for combat rescue missions from 1967 to 1995. These helicopters played vital roles in global conflicts, including the Vietnam War and the Gulf War. The HH-53 "Super Happy Green Giant" succeeded them, serving until September 2008. Subsequently, the role transitioned to the HH-60G Pave Hawks, based on the UH-60A Credible Hawks and derived from the UH-60 "Black Hawk" series.

The evolution continues with the Sikorsky HH-60W "Jolly Green II," introduced in 2020. Developed from the UH-60M model, this helicopter boasts modern systems for effective combat rescues in diverse conditions. It inherits the "Flexible" weapon system, superior visibility, and an extended range, addressing the USAF's stringent specifications for its new helicopter.

Sikorsky Aircraft, under Lockheed Martin, is the parent brand overseeing the production. The HH-60W serves dual roles, meeting military and humanitarian/search-and-rescue (SAR) needs. Its adaptable cabin configuration caters to specific missions, ranging from troop transport to pilot rescues. The USAF has procured between 108 and 113 HH-60W helicopters, with initial deployments at the 41st Rescue Squadron (Moody AFB, Georgia) and 512th Rescue Squadron (Cortland AFB, NM).

Specification

Basics

Years of Service: 2022

Origins: United States

Status: Program is running.

Crew: 4

Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation - USA

Carrier: US

Roles

Close Air Support (CAS)

Designed to operate near active ground elements with a wide range of air-to-surface weapon and ammunition options.

Special mission: MEDEVAC

Extraction of wounded combat or civilian elements through specialized shipboard equipment and available internal volume or external carrying capacity.

Special Mission: Search and Rescue (SAR)

Ability to locate and evacuate personnel from potentially hazardous or dangerous areas, such as downed pilots at sea.

Special Forces

Serve special forces/special operations forces and missions.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 64.8 feet (19.75m)

Width/span: 52.7ft (16.05m)

Height: 16.7 feet (5.10m)

Cured weight: 16,006 lbs (7,260 kg)

MTOW: 22,046 lbs (10,000 kg)

Wgt Difference: +6,041 lbs (+2,740 kg)

Performance

Installed: 2 General Electric T700-GE-701C turboshaft engines, each producing 1,890 hp, driving the four-blade main rotor and four-blade tail rotor unit to starboard.

Maximum speed: 224 km/h (360 km/h | 194 knots)

Maximum: 14,108 feet (4,300 m | 3 km)

Area: 510 km (820 km | 1,519 nautical miles)

ARMOR

Specific task. A typical loadout of 2 x 12.7mm M2HB machine guns (HMG) (one gun per side) is seen on external trainable mounts on both sides of the hull.