Two of the aircraft have been delivered by Sikorsky under ‘testing’ conditions, according to pilot Major Evan McNeal from te 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron Detachment 2.

As the aircraft’s current flight clearance is only experimental, it cannot perform an instrument flight or use its transponder, meaning that the entire five-hour flight took place under visual flight rules.

McNeal explained: “We had to pick our way carefully through densely trafficked airspace while avoiding typical Florida fog and precipitation without the tools that man of the most basic modern aircraft have available. We mitigated those risks through careful mission planning and using available equipment.”

Eventually, the US Air Force will purchase 113 HH-60Ws, replacing the HH-60G Pave Hawks that have been in service for decades. Lt Col Wayne Dirkes, the Squadron’s Operations Officer, commented: “Getting an HH-60W is very exciting not only for the 413th Flight Test Squadron, but also for the 96th Test Wing. Our entire test strategy has been adapted to include Sikorsky as a fully integrated partner – we have all put a lot of energy into trying to create a seamless execution model for testing here, and not it’s time to make it happen.”