new hh-60s

[bomber1]

I haven't seen this posted yet. It looks like the AF might be getting some new choppers.

http://www.defense-aerospace.com/cgi-bin/c...;modele=release

[busdriver]

The reporter got confused over the HH designation. To my knowledge the HH-60M is an Army MEDEVAC bird.

[Guest MadDog]

The reporter got confused over the HH designation. To my knowledge the HH-60M is an Army MEDEVAC bird.

The article says Air Force ?? Hopefully the USAF is attempting to address some tail shortages? It would be a welcome addition and a hope that they scrap the HH-47.

MD

[contraildash]

They need 'em, considering the retirement of the '53s and the slow pace at which the '22s are coming online. However, I've only found articles concerning the Army buying HH-60Ms and nothing on the USAF.....

From Rotor & Wing (this is from 2004):

The first two UH-60M prototypes with broad-chord composite main rotors, T700-GE-701D engines and integrated avionics are flying. Even with no immediate increase in allowable gross weight, the UH-60M promises a significant payload-range improvement over early Black Hawks. The Army estimates the UH-60M will carry about 1,000 lb. more than the UH-60A and around 470 lb. more than the UH-60L in hot and high conditions. Improved performance will be appreciated in the heavier Medevac aircraft. "The Afghanistan scenarios are going to be better supported with the additional power in the M," said Smart at AMCOM.

The UH-60M will also receive a Hamilton Sundstrand dual digital flight control computer that borrows heavily from Seahawk hardware and architecture. The new computer with advanced flight control laws will provide better stability and an automatic hover hold function especially useful for hoist rescues at night.

The medical Mission Equipment Package specification for the HH-60M has been approved. Though Air Methods is not yet under contract for the M-Model, medical interior design work is underway with feedback from Medevac users. Crashworthy Martin Baker attendant seats have already been qualified on the HH-60L and a fixed medical cabinet has given way to a modular medical storage bag. An advanced medical oxygen system will double pressure and volume to meet medical protocols for trauma patients. Changes to make the tilting/elevating litter support system and cabin lighting more maintainable are under study.

The HH-60M is also expected to provide an even better communications capability. The AN/ARC-222 multiband radio in the HH-60L already covers some low-frequency civil bands, but according to Smart, "What we really need is a multiband radio that covers everything up to 960 MHz." The interim solution must also be military specified and qualified. Eventually, the Joint Tactical Radio System will cover the full range of frequencies for military and civil communications. The Digital Battlefield gave the HH-60L a requirement for the Improved Data Modem. The IDM, or Blue Force Tracker, on the HH-60M may someday transmit patient information to waiting hospitals en-route.

The UH-60M was initially to use a modest digital cockpit integrated by Sikorsky based on experience with Black Hawks outfitted for the Turkish Land Forces. The cancellation of the Comanche armed reconnaissance helicopter has suddenly funded common cockpits for the CH-47F and UH-60M. The Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) developed for Special Operations helicopters will also give the HH-60M an integrated crew station readily supported in the broader Army fleet.

The CAAS common cockpit has five 6X8 inch multifunction displays. Primary flight symbology, thermal and radar imagery, digital maps and aircraft systems information can be posted on any display, and each portrait panel can be split to maximize and customize information. The Army expects avionics suites for the UH-60M and HH-60M will be identical except for the flir on the Medevac helicopter. Cockpit design is complete; and with further refinement, the MH-60M will give the Army Medical Department a fast, powerful ambulance for mercy missions to come.

Edited March 16, 2008 by contraildash

[dmeg130]

Redstone Arsenal should be the first clue....

This is an Army-only buy. USAF has HH-60Gs. And AFSOC doesn't have -60s anymore, so -53 and CV-22 numbers are irrelevant. With the delay of the CSAR-X programme (that's for you Steve), the current HH-60s are getting some money for service-life extensions.

See also: CSAR-X

[Guest gunnercalvin]

IIRC, the Army uses the HH designator for it's Medevac birds. Too bad, it would be damn nice to get some of those!

[Victory103]

Very nice too. 4ID had some here for training, brand new birds (new car smell). My unit is scheduled to get HH-60M's, but I doubt it will happen as we are still flying old UH-60A in the Medevac config.

[Guest AK_AVIATOR]

I don't think the Army would take too kindly if we started stealing production space for there Hawks off the line either. Plus an additional 500 pounds in the MGTOW isn't really going to solve the issues that the AF has with it's 60s anyways. But I guess thats still better than old or no helicopters.

edit: I really need to check the dates of these posts...

Edited April 15, 2009 by AK_AVIATOR

[stract]

the MGWT of the M is 24,000. That's 2 grand difference. Obviously that won't matter worth a shit if you don't have more powerful engines to offset. But the skin is thicker, it has fly-by-wire controls, glass cockpit, etc, so it would be leaps and bounds better than our current ride. Plus, all those upgrades weigh less...so maybe our zero-fuel weight would actually be reduced...plus the M has wide-chord blades, which would give us more lifties.

[busdriver]

stract, I don't know if you've heard something else, but Sikorsky advertises 22k for the Mike model. The 24k bird is the MH-60K

[stract]

ah, must have gotten them mixed up. Thanks for the clarification.