Sikorsky HH-60 Jayhawk

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 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 and the aircraft is capable of reaching 180 kn for short durations. The HH60J can fly at 140 kn for six to seven hours.

Chosen to replace the 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 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.



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 6460 lb, the HH-60J is designed to fly a crew of four up to 300 mi 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 to 140 kn and the aircraft is capable of reaching 180 kn for short durations. The HH60J can fly at 140 kn 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 USgal fuel tanks with two on the port side rack and one on the starboard side rack. The starboard side also carries a 600 lbf capacity rescue hoist mounted above the door. The hoist has 200 ft of cable.

Operational history


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.

On 29 October 2012, Jayhawk serial number (70-1790) 6031 was used during the offshore rescue of the crew of HMS Bounty during Hurricane Sandy.

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.

Operators

 * 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
 * ATC, Mobile, Alabama

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

Specifications (HH-60J)





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