What’s your role within Lockheed Martin, and what involvement have you had in the development and production of the HH-60W Jolly Green II?

I’m Rum Morgan, Sikorsky Business Development Lead for the HH-60W Jolly Green II. I’m also a US Air Force veteran with 26 years’ combat rescue experience.

Could you share an update on the current status of the production and delivery of the helicopters to the US Air Force?

The HH-60W Jolly Green II Combat Rescue Helicopter program continues to deliver aircraft to the US Air Force on cost and schedule as specified within the fixed-price contract. We’re pleased to report that production deliveries are underway, with 64 aircraft delivered to various US Air Force bases as of June 2025.

What modifications have been made to the airframe to make it a more effective asset in a combat rescue scenario?

Building on the proven survivability and reliability of the UH-60M Black Hawk, the HH-60W Jolly Green II incorporates a range of advanced features, including an open architecture for rapid mission system integration, an air-to-air refueling system, and upgraded survivability and defensive systems. These include advanced threat detection systems, such as radar and electro-optical/infrared sensors, which provide the crew with holistic situational awareness in a digital format. Additionally, the helicopter features integrated weapons systems, cabin and cockpit armor, and increased main fuel tank capacity to 644gal.

These advanced technologies enable the Jolly Green II to meet the combatant commander’s demands of today and the emerging joint all-domain operations (JADO) requirements in near-peer competition and win in conflict.

With the combat side covered, what about the rescue side? What modifications were made to the helicopter to ensure space for everyone, including a litter for the patient, as well as a hoist and operator?

The HH-60W Jolly Green II was designed with a focus on rescue operations and features several modifications that ensure space for everyone. These include integrated foldaway litters, which optimizes rapid loading and unloading of injured patients; an electric 250ft hoist; and foldaway cabin seating, allowing cabin operations while maintaining all quadrant weapons systems capability. This configuration allows for two litters in the cabin with ample space for the pararescuemen to provide medical care and allow for hoist operations.

Additionally, the helicopter’s sensor suite, which includes radar and electro-optical/infrared sensors, provides the crew with holistic situational awareness in a digital format, enabling them to quickly and accurately respond to rescue situations.

This configuration provides the Jolly Green II [with] a more effective and efficient rescue capability, ultimately saving lives and improving outcomes for those in need.

Are you still making improvements to the helicopter based on feedback from operators?

At Sikorsky, we are always committed to delivering the best possible aircraft to our customers to support their critical missions. We work closely with our customers to understand their operational needs and challenges, and use this feedback to drive continuous capability improvements to our aircraft, ensuring that we stay ahead of their evolving mission requirements.

What generation of avionics are being used to enhance situational awareness for the pilots?

The HH-60W includes the latest systems for the US Air Force, ensuring enhanced situation awareness. A few examples of these systems are advanced multiband radio tactical communication waveforms, enhanced military Global Positioning System (GPS) modes, and integrated cueing environments.

Maintenance costs are an ongoing concern for everyone in the aviation industry. How are the Jolly Greens performing when it comes to maintenance issues and management?

Sikorsky continues to work with the US Air Force to optimize and address maintenance efforts. We continue to refine maintenance publications to streamline and clarify procedures, enabling efficient and effective execution of field maintenance activities. These continuing efforts aim to minimize downtime, reduce maintenance burdens, and ensure the highest level of operational readiness for the Jolly Green II fleet.

What is the role of the special mission aviators in the rear of the aircraft?

Special mission aviators combine the roles of aerial gunner and flight engineer, serve as systems experts, ensuring the safe and effective operation of the aircraft, and assist in the extraction and recovery of personnel.

The Jolly Green II had to offer serious upgrades compared to the HH-60G Pave Hawk, its predecessor. What has the feedback been from users so far?

We have heard from customers that the HH-60W gives the team enhanced combat rescue capability, situational awareness and capacity for today’s conflict and the future. The aircraft is also able to achieve a higher speed, as well as having an upgraded weapons system. These upgrades elevate our ability to rescue those in need and save lives in a more effective manner.

With deployments all over the world, what allows the aircraft to perform at its best, no matter what the conditions?

The HH-60W offers the best-in-class survivability and lethality, with integrated mission systems, flexible weapons kit and air-to-air refueling capabilities.

The US Air Force originally planned to purchase 113 Jolly Green II helicopters, at a cost of US$7.6 billion. Are there more orders forthcoming from within the USA, or from other international agencies?

There are currently 96 HH-60Ws on order by the US Air Force and we’ve seen growing international interest in the HH-60W. We look forward to continuing working with the US Air Force on providing this aircraft to support our allies’ missions around the globe.