Morgan said that the Air Force built its CSAR-X requirements document by studying hundreds of missions, such as the one flown by the 2004 Mackay Trophy winners. At bottom line, he said, the objective is to get an “achievable” requirement, so USAF also talked extensively with defense companies. The HH-60 can carry one non-ambulatory survivor, but the CSAR-X, per the Joint Staff, must transport up to four initially. A future version should carry up to six, said Morgan. USAF also wants the CSAR-X to have defensive weapons covering all “quadrants” of the aircraft. Another key parameter is the aircraft’s combat radius, which for the HH-60 is 160 nautical miles with a 30-minute window on scene. The service expects a Block 10 CSAR-X to have a range of 320 nm with a 30-minute loiter time. (Read more here.)
In a rare letter to the entire force, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach is telling Airmen to stay ready to support Operation Epic Fury, the massive U.S. operation against Iran.