HH/MH-60G Pave Hawk

Twin engined, medium lift, USAF CSAR (Combat Search and Rescue) helicopter.

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History

The HH-60G Pave Hawk is a modified version of the Army's UH-60 A/L series helicopter. The first HH-60G was delivered to the Air Force in 1982 and the last one was delivered in 1997. A total of 112 have been purchased by the Air Force.

Description

Airframe and general capabilities
The HH-60G is a twin-engined medium lift utility helicopter specifically configured to the Combat Search and Rescue role. It is equipped with a single 4-bladed rotor and a single 4-bladed tail rotor. The Pave Hawk retains the landing gear arrangement of the UH-60A/L, utilizing a dragging tailwheel landing gear system, with two non-movable main gear struts, and a rotating lockable tailwheel assembly.

The HH-60G is equipped with a rearward sliding and lockable door on each side of the cargo compartment. The external cargo hook is rated to 8,000 pounds (3,630 kg.) In addition, the Pave Hawk is equipped with an external electric rescue winch/hoist. The hoist has 200 feet of cable and is rated to 600 pounds and is mounted on the right hand side of the aircraft.

To facilitate transportation and shipboard delivery, the HH-60G features a folding tail plane assembly as well as folding rotors. The HH-60G is air transportable by the C-5 and C-17 aircraft.

The HH-60G can be equipped with the ESSS (External Stores Support System) which consists of two external wing-like assemblies attached to the airframe above the cargo compartment doors. Each ESSS wing is equipped with 2 removable pylons. The wings are rated to 5,000 pounds each, and can accommodate a single 230 gal. fuel tank as well as a single 450 gal. fuel tank, thus extending the unrefueled range of the aircraft.

Powerplant
The HH-60G is equipped with two General Electric T700-GE-701C turboshaft engines rated at 1,880 shaft horsepower each. Internal fuel is stored in two crashworthy fuel tanks and totals 360 gallons. In addition, the Pave Hawk is equipped with an internal auxiliary fuel tank of 97.5 gallons. The HH-60G features a retractable aerial refueling probe and is capable of refueling from all USAF/USN aerial tankers utilizing the drogue and probe system. As with all UH-60 variants, the HH-60G is capable of flying on one engine. The HH-60G also incorporates the HIRSS hover IR suppression system that is designed to cool engine exhaust gasses while hovering and in forward flight.

Flight characteristics
The mission take off weight is 17,900 pounds, while the maximum take off weight is 24,500 pounds. The external cargo carrying capacity (cargo hook) is 8,000 pounds. The maximum (do not exceed) speed is 195 knots (224 miles per hour) while the maximum level speed is 160 knots (182 miles per hour.) The cruising speed is 139 knots (160 miles per hour.) Maximum range of the HH-60G on internal fuel is 480 nautical miles. The combat range of the HH-60G is 210 nautical miles.

Electronics
The HH-60G is equipped with VHF-FM, UHF-FM, and VHF-AM/FM radios, as well as encrypted IFF recognition system. For secure communications, the HH-60G utilizes an AN/ARC-210 integrated secure SATCOM communications system. In addition, the Pave Hawk is equipped with an AN/APN-239 (RDR-1400C) color doppler weather radar, an AN/ARC-220 nap of the earth digital radio and an AN/ARC-222 SINCGARS radio system. For self defense the HH-60G is equipped with an AN/APR-39(v)1 radar warning receiver, as well as an AN/ALQ-144 infrared countermeasures system and chaff/flare dispenser.

Armament
Initially, the HH-60G was equipped with two pintle mounted General Electric M134 7.62mm 6-barreled miniguns which could be operated by the crewchief and gunner. Upgrades to the mount designed later allowed for the operation of the GAU-2 .50 caliber weapon system. In addition, further improvements to the weapon station design provide for the closing of the crew access windows during operations in cold weather as the weapons and ammunition supply are now mounted externally on the aircraft body. This redesign also allows for the weapons to be locked in a forward firing position and they can be remotely fired in this position by the pilot.