US Air Force HH-60W combat rescue helicopter finishes developmental tests

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The US Air Force’s Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II combat rescue helicopter finished its developmental test programme on 13 April.


The service’s new combat search and rescue helicopter wrapped up nearly two years of testing at Eglin AFB in Florida, says the USAF on 15 April.

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“The final test by the Sikorsky and Air Force team was on the aircraft’s weapon systems,” says the service. “The goal of that test was to both demonstrate the performance of the weapons while optimising weapon system configurations.”


The HH-60W first flew in May 2019. The helicopter arrived at Eglin AFB in November 2019 and has been undergoing testing since. The USAF and Sikorsky have accrued more than 1,100 flight hours across six helicopters during the testing programme, says the USAF.


Tests included examination of the helicopter’s flight performance, communications systems, cold and hot weather performance, in-flight refuelling, data links, defensive systems, cabin systems, rescue hoist system and the live-fire of three guns, including its GAU-2 Gatling gun.


The USAF plans to modify testing aircraft for operational use and then transfer the helicopters to rescue units. The Combat Search and Rescue Combined Test force also plans unspecified follow-on testing at Nellis AFB in Nevada in 2022, the service.

 

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