Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk
Sikorsky Aircraft · United States · first flew 1982 · transport aircraft
The HH-60G Pave Hawk is the US Air Force's primary combat search-and-rescue helicopter, a specially equipped Black Hawk variant with terrain-following radar, FLIR, and an in-flight refuelling capability for deep penetration missions.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | High-mounted, rotary |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, fuselage-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 19.76 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- Black Hawk airframe with prominent nose FLIR turret and refuelling probe
- Retractable in-flight refuelling probe extends ahead of the nose
- External fuel tanks on sponsons; large blade antennas fore and aft
Identified among Black Hawk variants by the nose-mounted APQ-174 radar housing, the prominent retractable in-flight refuelling probe offset slightly to starboard, FLIR turret beneath the nose, and external auxiliary fuel tanks on both sponsons.
Specifications
- The Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk has a length of 19.76 m (65 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 16.36 m (54 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 294 km/h (183 mph).
- Typical crew: 4 + survivors.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
The Air Force acquired modified UH-60 Black Hawks from the early 1980s for the combat-SAR role, progressively upgrading avionics until the HH-60G Pave Hawk standard was established. Aircraft received the Pave Low-derived sensor suite comprising an APQ-174B terrain-following radar in the nose, FLIR, and GPS/INS. Pave Hawks operated in every major US conflict from Panama (1989) and the Gulf War through to Afghanistan and Iraq, rescuing aircrew and special operations personnel. The type is being replaced by the HH-60W Jolly Green II.
Variants
HH-60A initial conversion; HH-60G Pave Hawk full CSAR standard; HH-60W Jolly Green II successor.
Where you'll see it
Operated by USAF Air Combat Command and Air Force Special Operations Command rescue squadrons. A small number have also served with Air National Guard units.
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