USAF flies HH-60W for the first time
A HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter has been flown by the US Air Force for the first time at Sikorsky’s Flight Center in West Palm Beach.
The flight was carried out by the 413th Flight Test Squadron, which has had personnel embedded with Sikorsky throughout the developmental testing programme. The purpose of the test flight was to collect level flight performance data the air force requires to move the programme into the production and deployment phase.
The flight also served as a method for the test pilot to complete the required qualifications to fly the aircraft.
Based on the US Army’s UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter, the HH-60W is modified to perform missions locating and rescuing downed pilots in hostile territory.
The air force is contracted to purchase 113 HH-60W aircraft to replace its aging fleet of HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters.
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