PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC
The US Air Force is drawing up plans to acquire a new medium-lift helicopter to replace the Sikorsky HH-60G Pave Hawk, following a recent Air Combat Command (ACC) analysis of alternative studies into its future combat search and rescue (CSAR) requirements. The plan would give Sikorsky a chance to secure a domestic customer for the military version of the S-92.
"We looked at everything in terms of size and range, as well as several different options, and determined that a new medium-lift helicopter was the most cost-effective solution," says Maj Dave Morgan, deputy chief of the CSAR mission team. The air force was briefed on the results in July and has directed the AAC to start formulating an operational requirements document (ORD).
The ORD is expected to take nine months to complete and, subject to Joint Requirements Oversight Council approval, should lead to a request for proposals being issued in late 2003 or early 2004. The ACC hopes to secure initial funding in the FY2004 budget and has set 2010 as target date for initial operational capability.
ACC is looking for a new machine offering "close to a 50%" increase on the 400km (220nm) mission radius of the HH-60G, which "we feel is deficient," says Morgan. Potential candidates in the study were the Sikorsky S-92 and AgustaWestland EH101.
Other options considered in the study focused on tiltrotors, such the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey, an upgrade and service life extension (SLEP) of the HH-60G, a compounded H-60 derivative employing a Piasecki vectored thrust ducted propeller and composite wing, and/or a mixed fleet also using ex-Special Operations Command Sikorsky MH-53E Pave Lows.
As an interim measure, the air force says it will have to SLEP its 10 oldest HH-60Gs, which were delivered in 1981 and are close to their 8,000h airframe life. The remaining 95 Pave Hawks were delivered from 1987 onwards and should last until replaced.
Source: Flight International
