Sikorsky details CRH progress

Sikorsky has successfully executed the air vehicle preliminary design review (PDR) for the Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH) programme, it announced on 2 May. The training systems PDR is scheduled for August 2016.

Sikorsky received the 1.2 billion engineering manufacturing and development (EMD) contract for the CRH from the US Air Force (USAF) in June 2014. The contract includes delivery of the first four HH-60W helicopters, and six aircrew and maintenance training systems.

The programme aims to replace the air force's Sikorsky-built HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters. The aircraft will be used to perform critical combat search and rescue and personnel recovery operations for US military services.

The HH-60W is an advanced variant of the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter design with increased internal fuel capability, allowing for greater range, and an increase in cabin space. The CRH aircraft will feature GE T700-701D engines, composite wide-cord main rotor blades and fatigue and corrosion-resistant machined aero-structures to sustain manoeuvrability at high density altitudes.  The design includes an advanced Tactical Mission Kit integrating multiple sensors, data links, defensive systems, and other sources of intelligence information for use by aircrew.

The CRH programme has already completed the training system requirements review (SRR) and system functional review (SFR); as well as the air vehicle SFR and SRR.

Tim Healy, CRH program director, Sikorsky, said: ‘The successful air vehicle PDR confirms the programme is on the right track and marks a significant step for the CRH programme. Sikorsky and the USAF are well aligned in this collaboration effort and this successful PDR moves us closer to bringing this vital aircraft to the warfighter. 

‘Our training team is also executing extremely well and will be conducting the PDR for the training system three months earlier than originally scheduled. This will further reduce our risk to achieving the USAF accelerated schedule for CRH and delivering this critical capability to the air force rescue crews faster.  We are keenly aware that they are in combat every day, and that every day we can accelerate getting the HH-60W into their hands reduces the risks that they face on our nation's behalf.'

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