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Sikorsky HH-60 (Pave Hawk)

1991 ALLIED FORCE MODERN AIRCRAFT

History of the Sikorsky HH-60 (Pave Hawk)

The HH-60 Pave Hawk series all-weather day and night transport helicopter is the Air Force version of the successful UH-60 Black Hawk series. The HH-60 in the Air Force is tasked with, but is not limited to, rescuing downed pilots or deploying special forces behind enemy lines, and is also called upon to perform humanitarian missions.

The HH-60 is a reliable and adaptable system that has been in use since its inception and will continue to be used in the near future.

Although based on the U.S. Army's Black Hawk helicopter, the HH-60 Pave Hawk helicopter has a number of improved systems that set it apart for Air Force use. Pave Hawks in particular have several systems designed for night operation, including night vision, forward looking infrared and automatic flight control systems. An in-flight retractable probe is also provided for extended operating time.

To rescue the crew, the Pave Eagle is equipped with a retractable lift system and special communication and tracking equipment.

The Pave Hawk is powered by two GE-branded T700-GE-700 or T700-GE-701C engines, each producing approximately 1,560 to 1,940 horsepower. These engines turn a four-blade main rotor and a four-blade tail rotor for a top speed of 184 mph and a top speed of 14,000 feet per hour. Standard crew quarters are four, including two pilots, a flight engineer and a gunner.

Provide additional seating or space for medical waste in the cabin. The Pave Hawk's armament is mission-specific and can include two 7.62mm or heavy 12.7mm machine guns.

The system is classified as a medium helicopter and has been deployed in Panama, Desert Storm and elsewhere, and covers recovery efforts in Africa, the Middle East and the US Gulf after the 2005 hurricane. The U.S.

Air Force has 64 active Pave Eagles in inventory, 23 in reserve, and the Air National Guard carries an additional 18. The HH-60 Pave Hawk is currently in theater of service in Afghanistan and Iraq.