The Combat Rescue Helicopter, CRH, is the new US Air Force Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) helicopter to replace the HH-60G Pave Hawk in the personnel recovery missions.
Based on the UH-60M Black Hawk was selected as the winner of the Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) competition in 2013 following the cancelation of the CSAR-X.
The CRH has a new Tactical Mission Kit and multiple defense systems enhancing pilots' situational awareness and improved survivability. A new fuel system nearly doubles the capacity of the internal tank on a UH-60M.
The key visible characteristic to differentiate it from the HH-60G is the whiskey's upward facing exhaust designed to reduce the helicopter's infrared signature.
In November 2014 was officially designated the HH-60W
Production plans calls for 4 Engineering Manufacturing Development (EMD) aircraft and 5 System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTA). USAF needs 112 helicopters to replace current HH-60G fleet.
First flight was May 17, 2019. Second EMD flew May 23, the third on August 8 and fourth on August 27.
In September 2019, the 4 CRH flew together for the first time.
On February 27, 2020, it was officially named Jolly Green II, honoring Vietnam-era traditions. A total of 108 HH-60W helicopters are planned for acquisition, with the first two units scheduled to be fielded with the 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB, Georgia, and the 512th Rescue Squadron at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.
Based on the UH-60M Black Hawk was selected as the winner of the Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) competition in 2013 following the cancelation of the CSAR-X.
The CRH has a new Tactical Mission Kit and multiple defense systems enhancing pilots' situational awareness and improved survivability. A new fuel system nearly doubles the capacity of the internal tank on a UH-60M.
The key visible characteristic to differentiate it from the HH-60G is the whiskey's upward facing exhaust designed to reduce the helicopter's infrared signature.
In November 2014 was officially designated the HH-60W
Production plans calls for 4 Engineering Manufacturing Development (EMD) aircraft and 5 System Demonstration Test Articles (SDTA). USAF needs 112 helicopters to replace current HH-60G fleet.
First flight was May 17, 2019. Second EMD flew May 23, the third on August 8 and fourth on August 27.
In September 2019, the 4 CRH flew together for the first time.
On February 27, 2020, it was officially named Jolly Green II, honoring Vietnam-era traditions. A total of 108 HH-60W helicopters are planned for acquisition, with the first two units scheduled to be fielded with the 41st Rescue Squadron at Moody AFB, Georgia, and the 512th Rescue Squadron at Kirtland AFB, New Mexico.
List of Operators of HH-60W Jolly Green II |
| Years | Model | Org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1982/25 | S-70 H-60 |  US Air Force | |
| 2019- | US Air Force | ||
| 2026- |  Luftforsvaret |
Global Distribution of HH-60W Jolly Green II |
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