Aircraft

Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter makes maiden flight

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The maiden flight was of the first of nine test aircraft
Lockheed Martin
The maiden flight was of the first of nine test aircraft
Lockheed Martin
An artist's rendering of the HH-60W
Lockheed Martin
The HH-60W is based on the UH-60M Black Haw
Lockheed Martin
The HH-60W has increased flight range
Lockheed Martin
The HH-60W is designed for combat rescue missions
Lockheed Martin
View gallery - 5 images

The US Air Force's next rescue helicopter took to the skies for the first time on Friday, completing a 1.2 hour flight at the company's facility in West Palm Beach, Florida. Based on the venerable UH-60M Black Hawk, the Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter will replace the HH-60G, which entered service in 1982.

The maiden flight of the HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter included tests such as hover flight, low-speed flight, and passing over the airfield. The latest HH-60 Pave Hawk variant will now go on to its Milestone C production decision, which will be determined in September. Meanwhile, a second HH-60W will lift off next week and will be followed by a third and a fourth in the next quarter. These test craft will be used to gather data for production decisions.

The HH-60W is designed as a dedicated combat rescue helicopter with greater range, speed, and payload space. It has reconfigurable seating, double the fuel capacity of the Black Hawk, improved survivability and cybersecurity, a combat flight radius of 195 nm (224 mi, 361 km), and can hover at 4,000 ft (1,220 m) at 95° F (35° C).

An artist's rendering of the HH-60W
Lockheed Martin

A total of nine HH-60Ws will be built by Sikorsky for evaluation. If successful, the Air Force plans to purchase 113 of them.

"This achievement is yet another vital step toward a low rate initial production decision and getting this much-needed aircraft and its advanced capabilities to the warfighter," says Dana Fiatarone, vice president, Sikorsky Army & Air Force Systems. "We are very pleased with the results of today's flight and look forward to a productive and informative flight test program."

The video below shows the HH-60W going through its paces.

Source: Lockheed Martin

View gallery - 5 images
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5 comments
guzmanchinky
Double the fuel, that's a big deal! I'm surprised they don't use the new one with the pusher prop at the back and the dual main rotors? Maybe that one isn't far enough along yet...
vince
They should have made it electric
Towerman
Boring old aircraft...yaaaawn... bring us something REAL exciting. bring BACK the Comanche ! ! ! !
noteugene
Tired of atlas's articles. Tell us greater speed, don't even tell us what the top speed is. A child could write more informative articles. Who cares what the range is or temperature at which its operatable!? I want to know know 1 thing, 1 thing only, jow fast can the damn thing go!? How much faster than last model? They as usual tell you everything except what anyone most wants to know. Just tired of it.
Towerman
I like New Atlas reviews, if only the RAH66 would come back :(