Sikorsky MH-60 Jayhawk
Sikorsky MH-60 Jayhawk
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Sikorsky MH-60 Jayhawk

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Sikorsky MH-60 Jayhawk

The Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk is a multi-mission, twin-engine, medium-range helicopter built by Sikorsky Aircraft and operated by the United States Coast Guard for various missions including search and rescue, law enforcement, military readiness and marine environmental protection. It was originally designated HH-60J before being upgraded and redesignated in 2007.

Chosen to replace the HH-3F Pelican, the MH-60T is a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family of helicopters and is based on the U.S. Navy's SH-60 Seahawk helicopter, itself based on the U.S. Army's UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Development began in September 1986, first flight was achieved on 8 August 1989, and the first HH-60J entered USCG service in June 1990. Production ended in 1996 after 42 helicopters were produced; six retired Seahawks were also remanufactured to MH-60T specifications beginning in 2010.

In 2017, the USCG established a Service Life Extension Program to extend the service life of its current MH-60T fleet by rebuilding the aircraft with either newly manufactured hulls manufactured by Sikorsky or by conversion of retired US Navy aircraft. In 2023, the USCG obtained approval to begin acquisition of 12 additional MH-60Ts to replace some MH-65 Dolphin aircraft, the other helicopter type in the Coast Guard's inventory. In 2023, USCG received approval to transition to an all MH-60T helicopter fleet, and grew the fleet to 127 aircraft.

Chosen to replace the HH-3F Pelican, the HH-60J was based on the United States Navy's SH-60 Seahawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter family. Compared to its predecessor the HH-3F, the HH-60J is lighter, faster, and equipped with more sophisticated electronics and more powerful engines. The HH-60J was developed in conjunction with the U.S. Navy's HH-60H Rescue Hawk.

Sikorsky began development in September 1986 and aircraft registration number 6001 achieved first flight on 8 August 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 ended production in 1996 after completing the 42 units on contract. Subsequently, the Coast Guard has converted six ex-Navy SH-60F Seahawks into MH-60T Jayhawks (registration numbers 6043-6048) in order to replace aircraft lost to attrition and expand the fleet.

The USCG began converting its 42 HH-60Js to MH-60Ts in January 2007. This avionics and capabilities upgrade is part of the USCG's Integrated Deepwater System Program and 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. The MH-60T upgrades were completed in February 2014.

The normal cruising speed of the MH-60T is 135 to 140 kn (155 to 161 mph; 250 to 259 km/h) and the aircraft is capable of reaching 180 kn (207 mph; 333 km/h) for short durations. It can fly at 140 kn (161 mph; 259 km/h) for six to seven hours. With a fuel capacity of 6,460 lb (2,930 kg), the helicopter is designed to fly a crew of four up to 260 nmi (482 km) offshore, hoist up to six additional people on board while remaining on-scene for up to 45 minutes and return to base while maintaining an adequate fuel reserve.

The Jayhawk 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. It 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 helicopter is normally based on land but can be based on 270 foot medium endurance Coast Guard Cutters (WMEC) or 418 foot Legend-Class National Security Cutters (WMSL) .

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