Sikorsky S-70

Development

Chosen to replace the HH-3F Pelican, the HH-60J is a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family of helicopters and is based on the United States Navy's SH-60 Seahawk helicopter.

Compared to its predecessor, the HH-3F, the HH-60J is lighter, is faster, has more powerful engines and is equipped with more sophisticated electronics.

The HH-60J was developed in conjunction with the United States Navy's HH-60H Rescue Hawk.

Sikorsky began development in September 1986 and aircraft registration number 6001 achieved first flight on August 8, 1989.

The first aircraft was delivered to the USCG for developmental testing in March, 1990 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland.

In March 1991, ATC Mobile, Alabama became the first USCG unit to fly the HH-60J, allowing instructor pilots to prepare for pilot training.

Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina was the first USCG operational unit to fly the HH-60J.

Sikorsky produced 42 HH-60Js with sequential registration numbers from 6001 through 6042.

Sikorsky ceased production in 1996 after fulfilling the 42 unit contract.

MH-60T upgrade program

The USCG began converting its HH-60Js to MH-60Ts in January 2007.

This avionics and capabilities upgrade is part of the USCG's Integrated Deepwater System Program and will provide a glass cockpit, an enhanced electro-optic/infrared sensor system as well as a radar sensor system and airborne use of force capability.

The airborne use of force package includes both weapons for firing warning and disabling shots and armor to protect the aircrew from small arms fire.

Three Jayhawks have been upgraded to MH-60Ts as of June 2009 and all 42 aircraft are scheduled to be upgraded by 2015.

Design

With a fuel capacity of 6,460 lb (2,930 kg), the HH-60J is designed to fly a crew of four up to 300 mi (483 km) offshore, hoist up to 6 additional people on board while remaining on-scene for up to 45 minutes and return to base while maintaining an adequate fuel reserve.

Normal cruising speed of the HH-60J is 135 kn (155 mph) to 140 kn (161 mph) and the aircraft is capable of reaching 180 kn (207 mph) for short durations.

The HH60J can fly at 140 kn (161 mph) for six to seven hours.

The HH-60J uses the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System as its primary long range navigational aid, using a Collins RCVR-3A radio to simultaneously receive information from four of the NAVSTAR system's 18 worldwide satellites.

The HH-60J is normally based on land but can be based on 270 foot medium endurance Coast Guard Cutters (WMEC) or 378 foot high endurance Coast Guard Cutters (WHEC).

The HH-60J has a radar for search/weather that gives its nose a distinctive look.

A forward looking infrared (FLIR) sensor turret can be mounted below its nose.

It can carry three 120 US gal (454 L) fuel tanks with two on the port side rack and one on the starboard side rack.

The starboard side also carries a 600 lbf (2.67 kN) capacity rescue hoist mounted above the door.

The hoist has 200 ft (61.0 m) of cable.

Mitsubishi SH-60J

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Mitsubishi SH-60J Seahawk

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