HH-60W Modernization Development

Abstract

The HH-60W Jolly Green is the US Air Force's Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH). In FY 2023, a new operational USAF CRH had successfully completed a rescue operation in the AFROCOM theater. CRH, now in Full Rate Production (FRP) provides the modernization and upgrade to the legacy HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter. CRH modernization funding is crucial to ensure the CRH fleet can support the new theater and revitalize support for not only the crew but the rescues they save. RDT&E efforts include but are not limited to Mobile User Objective System, Degraded Visual Environment, Global Positioning System Anti-Jam System, and the Delivery Order 1 Agile Software Program. Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) provides narrow band military BLOS communication capability with improved availability for voice, data and video communications and is the DoD directed replacement to UHF SATCOM. With MUOS, The CRH will be compatible with future satellite communication standards. MUOS adds data capability while maintaining existing voice functions, a key enabler to distributed operations. Inability to communicate BLOS disrupts coordinating Personnel Recovery and Combat Search and Rescue missions. Due to the expeditionary nature of combat rescue missions, satellite communication is often the sole means of maintaining connection to command-and-control infrastructure. Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) mishaps accounts for 31% of all HH-60G mishaps since 2001. A DVE system will significantly reduce operational risk in all CRH regimes of flight, especially en-route navigation and terminal area operations in unprepared operational locations where the combat rescue mission is performed. A DVE material and technical solution to the DOD's #1 flight rotary wing flight risk, reduces operator workload, increases ability to operate in limited visibility conditions, and reduces mishaps saving lives and equipment. Legacy CRH Global Positioning System (GPS) equipment is vulnerable to exploitation. Planned GPS Anti-Jamming (GPS-AJ) modifications will enable CSAR operations in contested environments and areas with high jamming risk, especially where no other means of navigation exists, greatly reducing risk and significantly increasing combat capability in multiple theaters. Hardware modifications include the addition of more jam resistant controlled reception pattern antennas (CRPA) in addition to existing CRH Fixed Reception Pattern Antennas along with upgraded antenna electronics units (AEU) and associated software. Delivery Order (DO) 1 Agile Software Program will be the vehicle to perform software capability and fixes to the CRH fleet. Currently, the CRH fleet does not have a reoccurring process to enable yearly development, test and fielding of Deficiency Reports (DRs) to the operational fleet. DO 1 will not only give the warfighter the ability to rapidly fix these aging issues, but to also implement new software capability at the direction of the MAJCOM. This Program shall be reoccurring to accomplish 5 years of agile support to the fleet. Requirement: ACC designated this critical enable to accomplish any other mandates or specific requirements. The CRH program funding also supports innovation activities to include testing, integrated master plans, studies, analyses, requirements definition, and quick-reaction capability prototypes/demonstrations to accelerate planning for technology transition, technology insertion and future acquisition programs. Planned work includes program testing and development, effects testing, development of baseline integrated master plans and mission planning system analysis. This requirement supports performance of a full financial audit as required by title 10 U.S.C. Chapter 9A, Sec 240-D. This program element may include necessary civilian pay expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such programs funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program element 0605827F, 0605828F, 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605832F, 0605833F, 0605898F, and 0606398F. In FY 2023, $0.000 million was expended for civilian pay expenses in this program element, and in FY 2024, $0.000 million is forecast for civilian pay expenses in this program element. This program is in Budget Activity 7, Operational System Development because this budget activity includes development efforts to upgrade systems that have been fielded or have received approval for full rate production and anticipate production funding in the current or subsequent fiscal year.

Document Details

• Document Type: Project
• Publication Date: Oct 01, 2025
• Source ID: 670001_0605229F_7_3600_PB_2025

Tags

Readers

• Aerospace Engineering
• Civilian Systems Systems Program Capability Development and Upgrade Support Activity Expense and Pay Management.
• Tactical Satellite Communications Systems Engineering.

Technology Areas

• Fully Networked C3
• Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control
• Microelectronics
• Space