The Air Force completed 30 days of weather chamber trials on the Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II earlier this month at the McKinley Climatic Lab at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida. The testing subjected the aircraft to temperatures ranging from 120 degrees to minus 60 degrees Fahrenheit as well as 45-mph winds in heavy rainfall. Aircrews checked key systems performance during those conditions in aircraft and crews underwent evaluation for their ability to perform tasks while wearing cold-weather gear.
“Operating the HH-60W in the extreme conditions was a truly unique experience as a pilot and a tester,” said Lt. Col. Ryan Coates, 88th test and evaluation squadron pilot, who also performed most of the testing. “Checking system performance under the stress of heat, cold, heavy wind, and rain will give us real-world data regarding the helicopter’s capability to perform the rescue mission worldwide in various environments, which is exactly what the operator needs to make solid employment decisions."
The test aircraft is being returned to Sikorsky West Palm Beach for further evaluation. The HH-60W is the follow-on aircraft to the HH-60G Pave Hawk, which the Air Force first deployed in 1982. The HH-60W features numerous improvements including double the internal fuel capacity and modern weapons and defensive systems. Current Air Force plans call for the acquisition of 113 aircraft.