Mission
The primary mission of the HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter is to 
conduct day or night operations into hostile environments to 
recover downed aircrew or other isolated personnel during war. 
Because of its versatility, the HH-60G is also tasked to 
perform military operations other than war. These tasks 
include civil search and rescue, emergency aeromedical 
evacuation, disaster relief, international aid, counterdrug 
activities and NASA space shuttle support.

Features
The Pave Hawk is a highly modified version of the Army Black 
Hawk helicopter which features an upgraded communications and 
navigation suite that includes integrated inertial navigation/
global positioning/Doppler navigation systems, satellite 
communications, secure voice, and Have Quick communications.

All HH-60Gs have an automatic flight control system, night 
vision goggles lighting and forward looking infrared system 
that greatly enhances night low-level operations. Additionally, 
Pave Hawks have color weather radar and an engine/rotor blade 
anti-ice system that gives the HH-60G an adverse weather 
capability.

Pave Hawk mission equipment includes a retractable in-flight 
refueling probe, internal auxiliary fuel tanks, two crew-served 
7.62mm machineguns, and an 8,000-pound (3,600 kilograms) capacity 
cargo hook. To improve air transportability and shipboard 
operations, all HH-60G's have folding rotor blades.

Pave Hawk combat enhancements include a radar warning receiver, 
infrared jammer and a flare/chaff countermeasure dispensing 
system. 

HH-60G rescue equipment includes a hoist capable of lifting a 
600-pound load (270 kilograms) from a hover height of 200 feet 
(60.7 meters), and a personnel locating system that is compatible 
with the PRC-112 survival radio and provides range and bearing 
information to a survivor's location.

A limited number of Pave Hawks are equipped with an over-the-
horizon tactical data receiver that is capable of receiving near 
real-time mission update information.

Background
The Pave Hawk is a twin-engine medium-lift helicopter operated 
by Air Force Special Operations Command, Pacific Air Forces, Air 
Education and Training Command, Air National Guard and Air Force 
Reserve Command. 

Pave Hawks have a long history of use in contingencies, starting 
in Operation Just Cause. During Operation Desert Storm they 
provided combat search and rescue coverage for coalition forces 
in western Iraq, coastal Kuwait, the Persian Gulf and Saudi Arabia. 
They also provided emergency evacuation coverage for U.S. Navy sea, 
air and land (SEAL) teams penetrating the Kuwaiti coast before the 
invasion. 

During Operation Allied Force, Pave Hawks provided continuous combat 
search and rescue coverage for NATO air forces, and successfully 
recovered two Air Force pilots who were isolated behind enemy lines.

In the aircraft's humanitarian relief missions, three Pave Hawks 
deployed in March 2000 to Mozambique, Africa, to support 
international flood relief operations. The HH-60s flew 240 missions 
in 17 days and delivered more than 160 tons of humanitarian relief 
supplies.

In October 2003, the continental U.S. search and rescue mission 
transferred to Air Force Special Operations Command. Prior to this, 
the aircraft were assigned to Air Combat Command.

General Characteristics
Primary Function: combat search and rescue and military operations other than war in day, night or marginal weather conditions.
Builder: United Technologies/Sikorsky Aircraft Company
Power Plant: Two General Electric T700-GE-700 or T700-GE-701C engines 
Thrust: 1,560-1,940 shaft horsepower, each engine 
Length: 64 feet, 8 inches (17.1 meters) 
Height: 16 feet, 8 inches (4.4 meters) 
Rotor Diameter: 53 feet, 7 inches (14.1 meters)
Speed: 184 mph (294.4 kph) 
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 22,000 pounds (9,900 kilograms) 
Range: 445 statute miles; 504 nautical miles 
(unlimited with air refueling) 
Armament: Two 7.62mm machine guns Unit Cost: $9.3 million 
(fiscal 98 constant dollars)
Crew: Two pilots, one flight engineer and one gunner
Date Deployed: 1982 
Inventory: Active force, 64; ANG, 18; Reserve, 23