Paul Lewis/WASHINGTON DC
A US Air Force request for information (RFI) to replace or upgrade its fleet of ageing Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk combat search and rescue (CSAR) helicopters has drawn a strong response from domestic and international suppliers.
The RFI is part of a USAF analysis of alternatives for future CSAR requirements. Options include revamping the HH-60G, acquiring a new H-60 variant, ordering an off-the-shelf replacement or funding a new development.
Industry submissions made by the mid-February deadline include the Bell Boeing V-22 tiltrotor and the EHI Industries EH101 and Sikorsky S-92 helicopters. Upgrades being considered include a relatively simple structural life extension programme (SLEP), an avionics upgrade or taking a version of the US Army's proposed re-engined UH-60X Black Hawk.
The 10 oldest of the USAF's 105 HH-60Gs are close to 20 years of age and their maximum 7,000h airframe fatigue life. "These aircraft will have to [undergo a] SLEP whatever is decided," says Maj Benjamin Drew, director of the analysis of alternatives study.
The study is expected to run for another 12 months, leading to an operational requirements document in mid-2001 and a possible go-ahead decision in October 2001. The air force has pencilled in a 2007-10 procurement.
A simple SLEP extending the helicopter's airframe life to 10,000h without other improvements leaves many of the HH-60G's current mission "deficiencies" unaddressed, says the USAF. New situational awareness avionics and a datalink are needed to improve survivability. "We can fly in adverse weather, but can't operate tactically as we don't have a terrain-following radar," adds Drew.
The HH-60Gs operate at a higher 8,120kg (17,900lb) take-off weight than the army UH-60A/Ls and accordingly are wearing out quicker. The helicopter falls 74km (40nm) short of its 460km operational requirements range. With the installation of a 700 litre (185USgal) fuel tank in the cabin there is only room for two stretchers, rather than the four to six needed to accommodate a full Boeing B-52 Stratofortress or Rockwell B-1 Lancer crew.
Interim HH-60G improvements include replacing the Raytheon APR-39 radar warning receiver with the Lockheed Martin AAR-47 missile warning system. Retrofitting new sensors and defensive aids would increase the HH-60G's weight and "takes more away from its range", says Drew.
Source: Flight International
