The HH-60G Pave Hawk is an armed, all-weather day/night CSAR helicopter derived from the UH-60 Blackhawk.
Additional missions include casualty/medical evacuation, disaster and humanitarian response, firefighting, and combat/utility support. The HH-60G is equipped with advanced INS/GPS/Doppler navigation systems, SATCOM, and secure/anti-jam communications, and personnel locating system (PLS) that aids location of a survivor’s radio. It includes automatic flight control, NVG lighting, FLIR, an engine/rotor blade anti-ice system, in-flight refueling probe, additional fuel tanks, and an integral rescue hoist.
Combat enhancements include a full, self-defensive suite and two miniguns (or .50-caliber guns). Major upgrades include Block 162, which encompasses Avionics Communications Suite Upgrade and replaced obsolete systems with color weather radar, improved TACAN, new RWR, auto direction finding, and digital intercoms.
HH-60U are modified UH-60Ms operated by AFMC for testing and support. USAF initially pursued new-build UH-60Ms as loss replacements for the HH-60G, ultimately modifying Army surplus UH-60Ls instead. The first of 21 UH-60L combat loss replacements was delivered in 2016 with the final aircraft entering service in 2022. FY25 launches Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) mods to prevent accidents due to pilot disorientation on landing.
USAF plans to fully replace the Pave Hawk fleet with new-build HH-60W by 2026 and began retirements in 2022 cutting 37 airframes in FY24 with plans for 12 more in FY25. Aviano, Kadena, and Kirtland transitioned to the HH-60W ending Active-duty operations. The New York ANG’s 106th Rescue Wing likewise converted to the new platform in 2024.
HH-60 Pave Hawk Technical Data
Contractors: Lockheed Martin Sikorsky; Sierra Nevada Corp. (DVE).
First Flight: October 1974.
Delivered: 1982-1998 (HH-60G); 2019-present (HH-60U).
IOC: 1982.
Production: 112 (HH-60G); 19 (HH-60U) (21 planned).
Inventory: 104 (HH-60G); three (HH-60U).
Operator: ACC, AETC, AFMC (HH-60U), PACAF, USAFE, ANG, AFRC.
Aircraft Location: Aviano AB, Italy; Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz.; Eglin AFB, Fla.; Francis S. Gabreski Arpt., N.Y.; JB Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska; Kadena AB, Japan; Kirtland AFB, N.M.; Moffett Field, Calif.; Moody AFB, Ga.; Nellis AFB, Nev.; Patrick AFB, Fla.
Active Variants: •HH-60G. Modified UH-60 helicopter equipped for CSAR. •HH-60U. Converted surplus UH-60L combat-loss replacements.
Dimensions: Rotor diameter 53.6 ft, overall length 64.7 ft, height 16.7 ft.
Weight: Max T-O 22,000 lb.
Power Plant: Two GE Aviation T700-GE-700/701C turboshafts, each 1,560-1,940 shp.
Performance: Speed 184 mph; range 580 miles (farther with air refueling).
Ceiling: 14,000 ft.
Armament: Two 7.62 mm miniguns or two .50-caliber machine guns.
Accommodation: Two pilots, flight engineer, gunner.
Load: Up to three PJs and four non-ambulatory patients.
