The 23d Wing and 347th Rescue Group leadership received the Air Force’s newest Combat Rescue aircraft on 5 November. The delivery of the new model is significant to the personnel recovery mission as it begins the transition from the predecessor, the HH-60G Pave Hawk, which has been flown for more than 26 years. The new aircraft, based on the Army’s UH-60M helicopter, is modified to perform missions locating and rescuing downed pilots in hostile territory.
Designed to meet long-range and high threat requirements for the U.S. Air Force, the HH-60W will expand upon the legendary Black Hawk’s versatility by doubling the internal fuel capacity without the use of space hungry auxiliary fuel tanks, provides a robust weapons suite, and integrates defensive systems and sensors to provide an unprecedented combination of range and survivability....MORE
