U.S. Air Force Achieves Key Milestone with Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II: A New Era in Combat Rescue Technology
The U.S. Air Force announced Initial Operational Capability (IOC) for the HH-60W Jolly Green II Combat Rescue Helicopter, confirming the platform’s readiness to deploy Air Force rescue teams worldwide. Sikorsky, a division of Lockheed Martin, has designed and produced the HH-60W, allowing the U.S. Air Force to perform rescue operations over extended distances and in the most challenging conditions, while enhancing survivability.
“This announcement reflects the confidence of U.S. Air Force leadership and highlights the essential role of the HH-60W,” stated Nathalie Previte, vice president, Sikorsky Army & Air Force Systems. “Sikorsky remains dedicated to ongoing deliveries of the Department of Defense’s sole specialized combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopter and aims to provide the most advanced platform for rescue teams that rely on this aircraft daily to conduct life-saving operations.”
U.S. Air Force Dedicated Rescue Helicopter
As the exclusive combat rescue aircraft within the Department of Defense, the Jolly Green II Combat Rescue Helicopter enhances the lengthy legacy of U.S. Air Force rescue missions and modernizes the essential combat search and rescue fleet, equipping U.S. Air Force rescue personnel with superior capabilities for their vital and challenging life-saving tasks. The HH-60W Jolly Green II, which is set to replace the outdated HH-60G Pave Hawk, was meticulously engineered for the Air Force’s rescue operations based on thoroughly validated operational necessities.
The next-generation helicopter offers improved survivability while retrieving isolated individuals from hostile territories, regardless of time or weather conditions, and across a diverse array of threats. It empowers the Air Force Combat Rescue Team to execute their mission “That Others May Live” and “Leave No One Behind.”
Essential Mission Capabilities, Life-Saving Support
The new HH-60W Jolly Green II will succeed the HH-60G Pave Hawk fleet. By leveraging the established survivability and dependability of the H-60M Black Hawk, the HH-60W Jolly Green II integrates cutting-edge digital design methodologies, an open architecture for swift mission system integration, an aerial refueling mechanism, enhanced survivability and defensive systems, cabin and cockpit armored protection, integrated weaponry, and an expanded main fuel capacity of 644 gallons. These state-of-the-art technologies equip the Jolly Green II to fulfill the Combatant Commander’s current demands and the evolving Joint All Domain Operations (JADO) requirements amid competitive conditions and succeed in conflicts.
Highlighting Capabilities:
- Enhanced aerodynamic and hovering efficiency
- Increased main fuel tank capacity – 644 gallons compared to 360 gallons – and capable of aerial refueling for extended range
- Advanced integrated survivability and defensive systems
- Broadened communications featuring two Tactical Datalinks & Intel Receivers for net-centric connectivity in the joint-all domain context
- Higher-resolution sensors
- Expanded main cabin space
- Improved armor and ballistic safeguards
So far, Sikorsky has delivered 23 aircraft to the Air Force, including all Engineering Manufacturing Development (EMD) and Lot 1 aircraft. Deliveries for Lot 2, which consists of 12 aircraft, commenced in June of this year. To date, Sikorsky has secured four production lots, with the most recent being Lot 4 for 14 aircraft awarded in February 2022. The contract for Lot 5, featuring an additional 10 or more aircraft, is anticipated to be granted by the Air Force in 2023.
