Sikorsky HH-60 Jayhawk

HH-60J Jayhawk
MH-60T Jayhawk

Picture - A HH-60J Jayhawk hovering as a USCG rescue swimmer enters the water during a demonstration.

Role: Medium range recovery helicopter
Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft
First flight: August 8, 1989
Status: Active service
Primary user: United States Coast Guard
Produced: 1990-1996
Number built: 42
Unit cost: US$17 million
Developed from: SH-60 Seahawk

The Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawk is a multi-mission, twin-engine, medium-range helicopter operated by the United States Coast Guard for search and rescue, law enforcement, military readiness and marine environmental protection missions. The HH-60J is designed to fly a crew of four up to 300 mi (483 km) offshore, hoist up to 6 additional people on board while remaining on-scene for up to 45 minutes and return to base while maintaining an adequate fuel reserve. Normal cruising speed of the HH-60J is 135 to 140 kn (155 to 161 mph) and the aircraft is capable of reaching 180 kn (207 mph) for short durations. The HH60J can fly at 140 kn (161 mph) for six to seven hours.

Chosen to replace the Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican, the HH-60J is a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family of helicopters and is based on the United States Navy's SH-60 Seahawk helicopter. Development began in September 1986, first flight was achieved on August 8, 1989, and the first HH-60J entered USCG service in June 1990. Production ended in 1996 after 42 helicopters were produced.

The MH-60T Medium Range Recovery Helicopter upgrade program began in 2007 and is scheduled to provide upgraded avionics and operational capabilities to all 42 existing HH-60J airframes by 2015. As each airframe upgrade is completed, the affected HH-60J will be re-designated to MH-60T.

Development

Chosen to replace the Sikorsky HH-3F Pelican, the HH-60J is a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family of helicopters and is based on the United States Navy's SH-60 Seahawk helicopter. Compared to its predecessor, the HH-3F, the HH-60J is lighter, is faster, has more powerful engines and is equipped with more sophisticated electronics. The HH-60J was developed in conjunction with the United States Navy's HH-60H Rescue Hawk.

Picture - Sikorsky HH-60J Jayhawk (USCG registration number 6008) on the tarmac at Coast Guard Air Station Astoria, Oregon

Sikorsky began development in September 1986 and aircraft registration number 6001 achieved first flight on August 8, 1989. The first aircraft was delivered to the USCG for developmental testing in March, 1990 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. In March 1991, ATC Mobile, Alabama became the first USCG unit to fly the HH-60J, allowing instructor pilots to prepare for pilot training. Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina was the first USCG operational unit to fly the HH-60J. Sikorsky produced 42 HH-60Js with sequential registration numbers from 6001 through 6042. Sikorsky ceased production in 1996 after fulfilling the 42 unit contract.

MH-60T upgrade program

The USCG began converting its HH-60Js to MH-60Ts in January 2007. This avionics and capabilities upgrade is part of the USCG's Integrated Deepwater System Program and will provide a glass cockpit, an enhanced electro-optic/infrared sensor system as well as a radar sensor system and airborne use of force capability. The airborne use of force package includes both weapons for firing warning and disabling shots and armor to protect the aircrew from small arms fire. Three Jayhawks have been upgraded to MH-60Ts as of June 2009 and all 42 aircraft are scheduled to be upgraded by 2015.

Design

With a fuel capacity of 6,460 lb (2,930 kg), the HH-60J is designed to fly a crew of four up to 300 mi (483 km) offshore, hoist up to 6 additional people on board while remaining on-scene for up to 45 minutes and return to base while maintaining an adequate fuel reserve. Normal cruising speed of the HH-60J is 135 kn (155 mph) to 140 kn (161 mph) and the aircraft is capable of reaching 180 kn (207 mph) for short durations. The HH60J can fly at 140 kn (161 mph) for six to seven hours.

The HH-60J uses the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System as its primary long range navigational aid, using a Collins RCVR-3A radio to simultaneously receive information from four of the NAVSTAR system's 18 worldwide satellites.

The HH-60J is normally based on land but can be based on 270 foot medium endurance Coast Guard Cutters (WMEC) or 378 foot high endurance Coast Guard Cutters (WHEC).

The HH-60J has a radar for search/weather that gives its nose a distinctive look. A forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor turret can be mounted below its nose. It can carry three 120 US gal (454 L) fuel tanks with two on the port side rack and one on the starboard side rack. The starboard side also carries a 600 lbf (2.67 kN) capacity rescue hoist mounted above the door. The hoist has 200 ft (61.0 m) of cable.

Operational history

Picture - Victims from the 2010 Haiti earthquake are unloaded from a HH-60J Jayhawk (USCG Registration Number 6039) at U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

In 1990, HH-60J Jayhawks began replacing HH-3F Pelican and CH-3E Sea King helicopters in service with the US Coast Guard. HH-60Js perform search and rescue missions, along with other missions such as maritime patrol and drug interdiction.

Coast Guard cutters with their HH-60Js and other helicopters performed security and interdiction in the Persian Gulf in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm and also in 2003 for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Variants

HH-60J Medium range recovery helicopter. 42 units delivered to the USCG between 1990 and 1996 MH-60T Medium range recovery helicopter. 42 existing HH-60J airframes receiving upgraded avionics and operational capabilities, including armaments, beginning in 2007 and continuing through 2015.

Picture - MH-60 Jayhawk (USCG Registration Number 6014) on tarmac in Kotzebue, Alaska

Operators

United States

United States Coast Guard
CGAS Astoria, Oregon
CGAS Clearwater, Florida
CGAS Cape Cod, Massachusetts
CGAS Elizabeth City, North Carolina
CGAS San Diego, California
CGAS Sitka, Alaska
CGAS Kodiak, Alaska
ATC, Mobile, Alabama

Accidents

As of July 2010, three HH-60Js have been involved in crashes, including two fatal crashes.

Specifications (HH-60J)

Picture - HH-60J Jayhawk (USCG Registration Number 6034) and a 47-foot motor life boat

Most data is for HH-60J. Data for MH-60T is noted below.

Data from USCG HH-60J information, Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk information, Globalsecurity.org HH-60J specifications

General characteristics

Crew: Four (pilot, co-pilot, two flight crew)
Length: 64 ft 10 in (19.76 m)
Rotor diameter: 53 ft 8 in (16.36 m)
Height: 17 ft (5.18 m)

Picture - HH-60J Jayhawk (USCG Registration Number 6022) retrieving a rescue swimmer.

Empty weight: 14,500 lb (6,580 kg)
Max takeoff weight: 21,884 lb (9,926 kg)
Powerplant: 2x— General Electric T700-GE-401C gas turbines, 1,890 shp (1,410 kW) each

Performance

Maximum speed: 180 knots (205 mph, 333 km/h)
Cruise speed: 140 knots (160 mph, 260 km/h)
Range: 700 nautical miles (802 mi, 1,300 km)
Service ceiling: 5,000 ft hovering (1,520 m)

Armament

1 x 7.62 mm (0.30 in) M240H medium machine gun in starboard door (MH-60T)
1 x 0.50 in (12.7 mm) Barrett semi-automatic rifle (MH-60T)

US Helicopter Armament Subsystems

Picture - USCG Registration Number 6036 from MS Majesty of the Seas

Related development

Sikorsky S-70
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk
Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk
Sikorsky S-92

Comparable aircraft

HH-65 Dolphin
MH-68 Stingray

Sikorsky HH-60 Jayhawk Pictures

More aircraft.

Source: WikiPedia