Sikorsky MH-60 Jayhawk

The Sikorsky MH-60T Jayhawk is a multi-mission, twin-engine, medium-range helicopter built by Sikorsky Aircraft and operated by the United States Coast Guard for various missions including search and rescue, law enforcement, military readiness and marine environmental protection. It was originally designated HH-60J before being upgraded and redesignated in 2007.

Chosen to replace the HH-3F Pelican, the MH-60T is a member of the Sikorsky S-70 family of helicopters and is based on the U.S. Navy's SH-60 Seahawk helicopter, itself based on the U.S. Army's UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Development began in September 1986, first flight was achieved on 8 August 1989, and the first HH-60J entered USCG service in June 1990. Production ended in 1996 after 42 helicopters were produced; six retired Seahawks were also remanufactured to MH-60T specifications beginning in 2010.

In 2017, the USCG established a Service Life Extension Program to extend the service life of its current MH-60T fleet by rebuilding the aircraft with either newly manufactured hulls manufactured by Sikorsky or by conversion of retired US Navy aircraft. In 2023, the USCG obtained approval to begin acquisition of 12 additional MH-60Ts to replace some MH-65 Dolphin aircraft, the other helicopter type in the Coast Guard's inventory. In 2023, USCG received approval to transition to an all MH-60T helicopter fleet, and grew the fleet to 127 aircraft.

Development

Chosen to replace the HH-3F Pelican, the HH-60J was based on the United States Navy's SH-60 Seahawk and a member of the Sikorsky S-70 helicopter family. Compared to its predecessor the HH-3F, the HH-60J is lighter, faster, and equipped with more sophisticated electronics and more powerful engines.

thumb|Jayhawk (USCG registration number 6008) on the tarmac at [[Coast Guard Air Station Astoria]]

Sikorsky began development in September 1986 and aircraft registration number 6001 achieved first flight on 8 August 1989. The first aircraft was delivered to the USCG for developmental testing in March 1990 at NAS Patuxent River, Maryland. In March 1991, ATC Mobile, Alabama became the first USCG unit to fly the HH-60J, allowing instructor pilots to prepare for pilot training. Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, North Carolina was the first USCG operational unit to fly the HH-60J. Sikorsky ended production in 1996 after completing the 42 units on contract. Subsequently, the Coast Guard has converted six ex-Navy SH-60F Seahawks into MH-60T Jayhawks (registration numbers 6043-6048) in order to replace aircraft lost to attrition and expand the fleet.

MH-60T upgrade program

The USCG began converting its 42 HH-60Js to MH-60Ts in January 2007. This avionics and capabilities upgrade is part of the USCG's Integrated Deepwater System Program and provide a glass cockpit, an enhanced electro-optic/infrared sensor system as well as a radar sensor system and airborne use of force capability. The airborne use of force package includes both weapons for firing warning and disabling shots and armor to protect the aircrew from small arms fire. The MH-60T upgrades were completed in February 2014.

Design

thumb|Jayhawk from [[Coast Guard Air Station Kodiak]]

The normal cruising speed of the MH-60T is and the aircraft is capable of reaching for short durations. It can fly at for six to seven hours. With a fuel capacity of , the helicopter is designed to fly a crew of four up to offshore, hoist up to six additional people on board while remaining on-scene for up to 45 minutes and return to base while maintaining an adequate fuel reserve.

Operational history

thumb|[[2010 Haiti earthquake|Haitian earthquake victims are unloaded from a Jayhawk at U.S. Naval Hospital Guantanamo Bay.]]

In 1990, HH-60J Jayhawks began replacing HH-3F Pelican and CH-3E Sea King helicopters in service with the US Coast Guard. HH-60Js perform search and rescue missions, along with other missions such as maritime patrol and drug interdiction. Coast Guard cutters with their HH-60Js and other helicopters performed security and interdiction in the Persian Gulf in 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm and also in 2003 for Operation Enduring Freedom.

Variants

;HH-60J: Medium range recovery helicopter. Forty-two units delivered to the US Coast Guard between 1990 and 1996.

;MH-60T: Medium range recovery helicopter. Thirty-nine surviving HH-60J airframes received upgraded avionics and operational capabilities, including armament, from 2007 to 2014.

Operators

thumb|Jayhawk retrieves a rescue swimmer

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United States Coast Guard 45 MH-60s in service.
CGAS Astoria
CGAS Borinquen
CGAS Cape Cod
CGAS Clearwater
CGAS Elizabeth City
CGAS Kodiak
CGAS New Orleans
CGAS San Diego
CGAS Sitka
CGAS Traverse City
CGAS Ventura
Coast Guard Aviation Training Center

Accidents

As of November 2023, four Jayhawks have been involved in crashes, including two fatal crashes.

Specifications (HH-60J)

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: Most data is for HH-60J with data for MH-60T noted below.