Inside the US Coast Guard’s Jayhawk Helicopter Fleet Upgrade
Inside the US Coast Guard's Jayhawk Helicopter Fleet Upgrade - Coast Guard's Long-Range Aviation Asset
As the US Coast Guard continues its efforts to modernize its aviation fleet, the acquisition of new MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters has been a crucial step.
The service has accepted the first newly manufactured Jayhawk hull, which will undergo further upgrades and modifications at the Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
These upgrades aim to extend the service life of the existing Jayhawk fleet, ensuring the Coast Guard can continue its lifesaving missions well into the 2040s.
The Coast Guard's fleet modernization plans also include the introduction of a new C-37B long-range command and control aircraft, further enhancing the service's capabilities.
The new MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter features advanced avionics, including a state-of-the-art glass cockpit and integrated sensor systems, enabling enhanced mission capabilities and situational awareness for the Coast Guard crew.
The Coast Guard's decision to consolidate its helicopter fleet by phasing out older models and adopting the MH-60T as the standard platform is driven by the need to enhance operational efficiency and reduce maintenance costs associated with a diverse fleet.
The MH-60T's increased range and endurance, compared to its predecessors, allow the Coast Guard to undertake longer-range missions, including search and rescue operations in remote or offshore locations.
The new airframes being delivered to the Coast Guard will undergo a comprehensive rebuild process at the Aviation Logistics Center, where they will receive updated components and systems, further extending the Jayhawk's service life.
The Coast Guard's commitment to modernizing its aviation assets reflects its dedication to maintaining a high level of operational capability and responsiveness in fulfilling its diverse range of missions, from search and rescue to maritime security.
What else is in this post?
- Inside the US Coast Guard's Jayhawk Helicopter Fleet Upgrade - Coast Guard's Long-Range Aviation Asset
- Inside the US Coast Guard's Jayhawk Helicopter Fleet Upgrade - Extending Jayhawk Helicopter's Service Life
- Inside the US Coast Guard's Jayhawk Helicopter Fleet Upgrade - Upgraded Avionics and Navigation Systems
- Inside the US Coast Guard's Jayhawk Helicopter Fleet Upgrade - Sikorsky's Role in the Modernization Program
- Inside the US Coast Guard's Jayhawk Helicopter Fleet Upgrade - Increased Fleet Size and Standardization
- Inside the US Coast Guard's Jayhawk Helicopter Fleet Upgrade - Ensuring Lifesaving Capabilities Beyond 2040
Inside the US Coast Guard's Jayhawk Helicopter Fleet Upgrade - Extending Jayhawk Helicopter's Service Life
The US Coast Guard has approved a 10-year program to extend the service life of its existing MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter fleet, aiming to continue flying lifesaving missions into the 2040s.
As part of this program, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has delivered the first replacement MH-60T airframe to the Coast Guard, with plans to deliver 45 more by 2027.
The service life extension program is expected to keep the Coast Guard's Jayhawk fleet operational and ready to undertake critical search and rescue operations for the next two decades.
The US Coast Guard has approved a 10-year, $374-million program to extend the service life of its existing MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter fleet, aiming to continue flying lifesaving missions into the 2040s.
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, delivered the first replacement MH-60T airframe to the Coast Guard on November 30, 2023, kickstarting the fleet modernization effort.
The new airframe is specifically designed to extend the service life of the existing Jayhawk fleet, which is approaching its maximum operational life limit of 20,000 flight hours.
The program aims to deliver a total of 45 replacement MH-60T airframes to the Coast Guard by 2027, with the first one being delivered to the Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
The service life extension program will involve the replacement of life-limited structural hulls, dynamic components, and electrical wiring, ensuring the continued reliability and safety of the Jayhawk fleet.
The Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center (ALC) will be responsible for completing the strategic maintenance and renovation work required to extend the service life of the MH-60T Jayhawk medium-range recovery helicopter fleet.
The goal of the program is to enable the Coast Guard to continue flying its lifesaving missions, including search and rescue operations, for the next two decades, ensuring the continued safety and efficiency of its operations.
Inside the US Coast Guard's Jayhawk Helicopter Fleet Upgrade - Upgraded Avionics and Navigation Systems
The upgraded MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters feature state-of-the-art avionics, communications, and navigation equipment, including a glass cockpit, enhanced sensor systems, and advanced radar capabilities.
These enhancements are designed to improve the Coast Guard's mission effectiveness, crew situational awareness, and operational efficiency across a range of missions, from search and rescue to maritime security.
The upgrades are part of a comprehensive modernization program that aims to extend the service life of the Jayhawk fleet until at least 2040, ensuring the Coast Guard can continue to carry out its vital duties well into the future.
The upgraded MH-60T Jayhawk helicopters are equipped with a state-of-the-art glass cockpit, providing the pilots with a highly intuitive and integrated flight instrument display.
The new radar sensor system installed in the Jayhawks features advanced target detection and tracking capabilities, enabling the crew to better identify and monitor maritime threats and distress signals.
The enhanced electro-optic/infrared sensor suite gives the Jayhawk crews unprecedented situational awareness, allowing them to conduct search and rescue missions with greater precision, even in low-visibility conditions.
The Jayhawk's new communications suite includes a software-defined radio system, providing secure and reliable voice and data links for coordination with other Coast Guard assets and command centers.
The NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) has been integrated as the primary long-range navigational aid, ensuring the Jayhawk crews can accurately navigate to remote offshore locations during search and rescue operations.
The upgraded Jayhawks are equipped with an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system, which constantly transmits the aircraft's position, altitude, and other flight data to air traffic control and nearby aircraft, enhancing airspace safety.
The new cockpit display systems incorporate advanced weather radar and satellite-based weather data, allowing the Jayhawk crews to make more informed decisions about route planning and mission execution in challenging weather conditions.
The integrated sensor suite on the upgraded Jayhawks includes a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera, which can detect heat signatures, enabling the crews to locate people in distress, even in complete darkness or adverse weather.
Inside the US Coast Guard's Jayhawk Helicopter Fleet Upgrade - Sikorsky's Role in the Modernization Program
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has played a crucial role in the US Coast Guard's Jayhawk helicopter fleet modernization program.
The company has delivered the first of 45 replacement MH-60T airframes, marking the start of a 10-year project to extend the service life of the Coast Guard's existing Jayhawk fleet.
This initiative aims to ensure the Jayhawks can continue performing vital missions, such as search and rescue and maritime security, well into the 2040s.
Sikorsky's contract includes delivering all 45 replacement airframes by 2027, and the company has also worked with the Coast Guard to establish a service life extension program to address the airframe's maximum operational life limit.
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, is delivering the first of 45 replacement MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter airframes to the US Coast Guard as part of a $374-million contract signed in
The 10-year program aims to extend the service life of the Coast Guard's existing MH-60T multi-mission, medium-range rotorcraft fleet until the 2040s, ensuring the helicopters can continue to perform vital missions.
The first replacement airframe was delivered on November 30, 2023, marking the launch of the fleet modernization effort, with the Coast Guard receiving the airframes at a rate of 12 per year through
Sikorsky has worked with the Coast Guard to establish a service life extension program (SLEP) to address the airframe's maximum operational life limit of 20,000 flight hours, ensuring the Jayhawks can continue meeting operational needs.
The SLEP will involve the replacement of life-limited structural hulls, dynamic components, and electrical wiring, allowing the Coast Guard to extend the service life of its existing MH-60T fleet.
The Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, will be responsible for completing the strategic maintenance and renovation work required to extend the service life of the MH-60T Jayhawk fleet.
The first replacement airframe delivered to the Coast Guard will undergo further upgrades and modifications at the Aviation Logistics Center, including the installation of advanced avionics, communications, and navigation equipment.
The upgraded MH-60T Jayhawks will feature a state-of-the-art glass cockpit, enhanced sensor systems, and advanced radar capabilities, improving the Coast Guard's mission effectiveness and crew situational awareness.
The new radar sensor system and electro-optic/infrared sensor suite on the upgraded Jayhawks will provide unprecedented target detection, tracking, and situational awareness capabilities, enhancing the Coast Guard's search and rescue operations.
Inside the US Coast Guard's Jayhawk Helicopter Fleet Upgrade - Increased Fleet Size and Standardization
The US Coast Guard's Jayhawk helicopter fleet modernization program not only aims to extend the service life of the existing fleet, but also significantly expand the number of Jayhawk helicopters.
The Coast Guard plans to expand its MH-60T Jayhawk fleet from the current 48 aircraft to 127 helicopters by 2040, nearly tripling the size of the fleet.
The new Jayhawk airframes will be standardized, with the MH-60T becoming the service's sole medium-range recovery helicopter, simplifying maintenance and logistics.
The service life extension program will involve replacing life-limited structural components, allowing the existing Jayhawk fleet to continue flying through the 2040s.
The new Jayhawks will feature a glass cockpit with integrated sensor systems, providing the crew with enhanced situational awareness and mission capabilities.
The Jayhawk's advanced radar system can detect and track maritime targets with greater precision, enabling more effective search and rescue operations.
The upgraded Jayhawks will be equipped with forward-looking infrared (FLIR) cameras, allowing crews to locate people in distress even in complete darkness or adverse weather.
The new Jayhawk airframes will be assembled at the Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, ensuring a centralized approach to fleet maintenance.
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has a $374-million contract to deliver 45 replacement MH-60T airframes to the Coast Guard by
The Jayhawk's upgraded communications suite includes a software-defined radio system, providing secure and reliable voice and data links for coordination with other Coast Guard assets.
The Jayhawks' new Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system constantly transmits the aircraft's position, altitude, and other flight data, enhancing airspace safety.
Inside the US Coast Guard's Jayhawk Helicopter Fleet Upgrade - Ensuring Lifesaving Capabilities Beyond 2040
The Coast Guard's strategy, unveiled by Commandant Adm.
Linda Fagan, recognizes the need for the service to adapt to emerging technologies, changing demographics, and shifting workforce expectations.
The Coast Guard's Workforce 2040 initiative aims to recruit and retain a diverse and agile workforce, leveraging transparency in personnel management practices to effectively manage its future workforce.
The Coast Guard's FY 2025 budget includes funds to deliver assets and capabilities to the fleet, including personnel and operations and maintenance sustainment funding for new cutters, boats, aircraft, and capabilities.
This investment is part of the Coast Guard's efforts to ensure lifesaving capabilities beyond 2040 and meet the evolving needs of its missions.
The US Coast Guard's Jayhawk helicopter fleet upgrade is a comprehensive $374-million program that will extend the service life of the existing fleet until at least 2040, ensuring the Coast Guard can continue its critical lifesaving missions for decades to come.
The first replacement MH-60T Jayhawk airframe was delivered to the Coast Guard on November 30, 2023, marking the start of a 10-year project that will see a total of 45 new airframes added to the fleet.
The Jayhawk's new state-of-the-art glass cockpit features an intuitive and integrated flight instrument display, providing pilots with enhanced situational awareness and mission capabilities.
The upgraded Jayhawks are equipped with an advanced radar sensor system capable of detecting and tracking maritime targets with unprecedented precision, improving the Coast Guard's search and rescue operations.
The Jayhawk's electro-optic/infrared sensor suite includes a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera, allowing crews to locate people in distress even in complete darkness or adverse weather conditions.
The Jayhawk's new communications suite incorporates a software-defined radio system, enabling secure and reliable voice and data links for coordination with other Coast Guard assets and command centers.
The Jayhawks are being outfitted with the NAVSTAR Global Positioning System (GPS) as the primary long-range navigational aid, ensuring accurate navigation to remote offshore locations during search and rescue missions.
The Coast Guard's Jayhawk fleet will be standardized, with the MH-60T becoming the service's sole medium-range recovery helicopter, simplifying maintenance and logistics.
The Coast Guard plans to expand its MH-60T Jayhawk fleet from the current 48 aircraft to 127 helicopters by 2040, nearly tripling the size of the fleet to enhance lifesaving capabilities.
The new Jayhawk airframes will be assembled at the Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, ensuring a centralized approach to fleet maintenance and upgrades.
The upgraded Jayhawks will feature an Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) system, which constantly transmits the aircraft's position, altitude, and other flight data to air traffic control and nearby aircraft, enhancing airspace safety.