Vital capability: Sikorsky share program update
AirMed&Rescue offers an update on the latest news surrounding the HH-60W Jolly Green II Combat Rescue Helicopter, and on the Sikorsky-Boeing DEFIANT X assault aircraft project
A giant legacy
’Jolly Green’ is a name filled with heritage, and the HH-60W has the large footprints of its HH-3 namesake to fill. Vietnam saw combat rescue needs met by that of the HH-3 ’Jolly Green’. What started out as a nickname for these large green helicopters was later officially adopted by the US Air Force. They were known for going anywhere to pick up anyone that needed them, and they left a huge legacy that has been passed on to the Jolly Green II.
’Jolly Green’ is a name filled with heritage, and the HH-60W has the large footprints of its HH-3 namesake to fill
The Sikorsky-built HH-60W, a derivative of the Army’s H-60M Black Hawk, is the successor to the Air Force’s aging HH-60G Pave Hawk. With it, a plethora of improvements follow, from armour-plated doors and floor; to a more robust airframe to support the air refuelling probe from fatigue. Wider rotor blades increase hover and climb performance, ’biting’ the air better – all these improvements adding to the aircraft’s capability to support any mission. We take a look at the progress being made so far.
Sikorsky shares program update
“The HH-60W Jolly Green II Combat Rescue Helicopter program is progressing with production underway and 20 aircraft delivered to various US Air Force bases. Sikorsky has been awarded four production lots to date, most recently Lot 4 for 14 aircraft (Feb 2022). We are working closely with the Air Force to meet their combat search and rescue (CSAR) mission requirements to field the Department of Defense’s (DoD) only dedicated CSAR helicopter and provide the most capable platform to the warfighter. We look forward to continuing deliveries of this vital capability to our customer.”
Future long range assault aircraft
The Defiant X assault aircraft is designed to fly low and fast, getting in and out of environments whilst delivering troops where they need to be safely, in challenging terrain, all whilst avoiding the enemy. Can it bring next level capability that the needs?
With unmatched range and survivability, DEFIANT X will change the way the Army fights – enabling crews to fly low and fast through complex terrain, where Army aviators spend most of their time
Team DEFIANT’s latest news
“DEFIANT X, the Lockheed Martin Sikorsky-Boeing offering for Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), is a next-generation combat weapons system design that builds on the handling qualities and transformational capabilities proven by the team’s technology demonstrator, SB-1 DEFIANT and the thousands of hours of testing and simulation that have been conducted across the complete weapons system.”
“With unmatched range and survivability, DEFIANT X will change the way the Army fights – enabling crews to fly low and fast through complex terrain, where Army aviators spend most of their time. DEFIANT X incorporates Sikorsky X2 Technology to operate at high speeds while maintaining low-speed handling qualities. This critical capability provides pilots with increased maneuverability and survivability. DEFIANT X’s compound co-axial rotor system and pusher prop allows for a high degree of maneuverability in and around the objective which is also directly linked to survivability.”
The Army is expected to make its decision on FLRAA later this year.