Test flight conducted on military rescue helicopter

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Co., recently conducted a test flight of its HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter in West Palm Beach, Fla.

The aircraft is based on the UH-60M Black Hawk and is customized for U.S. Air Force rescue missions. The U.S. Air Force plans to replace its HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters and has ordered 113 new aircraft.

The HH-60W has a fuel system that nearly doubles the capacity of the Black Hawk’s tank. The HH-60W also has better defensive systems than the Pave Hawk.

The test flight lasted more than an hour and tested multiple capabilities, including a pass over the airfield, low-speed flight, and hover-control checks.

“With the Combat Rescue Helicopter’s successful first flight now behind us, we look forward to completion of Sikorsky’s flight test program, operational testing and production of this aircraft to support the Air Force’s critical rescue mission,” Edward Stanhouse, chief of the U.S. Air Force Helicopter Program Office, said. “Increased survivability is key, and we greatly anticipate the added capabilities this aircraft will provide.”

Sikorsky and the Air Force are committed to beginning production in September.

A second test flight will be conducted this month, and two more test flights will be conducted this summer.