HH-60W CRHs prepare for flight test
Two fully assembled HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopters (CRH) built for the US Air Force are being prepared for their maiden flights.
The Sikorsky-built helicopters will perform their first flights before mid-2019 at the company’s West Palm Beach site in Florida. The test team is currently conducting final installation of instrumentation and ground run testing.
The two CRHs will enter the flight test phase with the new tactical mission kit that integrates sensors, radar and multiple defence systems to increase pilot situational awareness.
A total of nine aircraft will be built during the engineering manufacturing development (EMD) phase of the programme ― four EMD aircraft and five system demonstration test articles. The air force is planning to order 112 helicopters to replace its aging HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters.
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