US Coast Guard Enhances MH-60T Jayhawk Fleet with Modernization Initiatives
Astoria, Oregon — The US Coast Guard has successfully delivered a modified MH-60T Jayhawk medium-range recovery helicopter to Air Station Astoria as part of its ongoing service life extension program (SLEP). This initiative aims to extend the operational lifespan of the Jayhawk fleet, which has been in service since the 1990s.
As part of the modernization process, the helicopters are being equipped with new hulls, electrical wiring harnesses, and main rotor blades, allowing for an approximate increase of 20,000 additional flight hours. In a strategic effort to boost operational capabilities, the Coast Guard is also utilizing low-flight-hour US Navy H-60 hulls from airframes such as the HH-60H Pave Hawk and SH-60F Seahawk to augment the Jayhawk fleet.
Sikorsky Aircraft, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, has already delivered three out of the 45 new hulls ordered for this significant program. Additionally, another upgraded MH-60T, equipped with a converted Navy hull, was sent to a new air station in Point Mugu, California, in August 2024.
The assembly and installation of these modifications are being conducted at the Coast Guard Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The Coast Guard has emphasized that this sustainment effort not only addresses fleet longevity but also facilitates fleet growth as the service gears towards an entirely MH-60T equipped fleet.
“This transition is crucial to mitigating sustainability challenges posed by the MH-65 short-range recovery helicopter, ensuring the continuity of our rotary wing capabilities until a recapitalization aligns with the Department of Defense’s Future Vertical Lift program,” stated a Coast Guard spokesperson.
The MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter measures 64 feet (20 meters) in length and possesses a wingspan of 53 feet (16 meters). It is equipped not only for search and rescue operations but also has the option to be armed with semi-automatic rifles or medium machine guns for enhanced operational protection. The helicopter is powered by two gas turbine engines, each delivering 1,890 horsepower, enabling it to reach altitudes up to 5,000 feet (1,524 meters), achieve a top speed of 207 miles (333 kilometers) per hour, and cover a range of 806 miles (1,296 kilometers).
As the Coast Guard moves forward with this extensive modernization initiative, it aims to ensure a resilient and capable rotary wing fleet ready to respond to a variety of missions in diverse operational environments.
