Aircraft & UAVs

HH-60W Jolly Green II

Also known as
  • HH-60W
  • HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter
  • Combat Rescue Helicopter
  • Jolly Green II
  • Whiskey

The HH-60W Jolly Green II is Sikorsky's U.S.-built combat rescue helicopter for the Air Force, derived from the UH-60M Black Hawk and fitted with aerial refueling, defensive systems, armor, datalinks, and rescue gear for hostile personnel-recovery missions. Public U.S. Air Force and defense reporting documents deployed CASEVAC work in Africa and a 2026 Iran combat recovery of a downed F-15 pilot.

HH-60W Jolly Green II, Combat rescue helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs
Image source: 303rd ERQS HH-60W Jolly Green II.jpg

Role in Conflicts

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin
United States
Type
Combat rescue helicopter
Service note
2019-present
Designer
Sikorsky
Designed
2010-2014
Produced
2018-present
Developed from
UH-60M Black Hawk, HH-60G Pave Hawk

Specifications

Rotor diameter
53.6 feet (16.34 meters)
Length
64.7 feet (19.72 meters)
Height
16.7 feet (5.1 meters)
Operating weight
22,500 pounds (10,205.83 kilograms)
Speed
176 mph / 153 knots at sea level
Range
690 miles (599 nautical miles); air refuelable
Ceiling
20,000 feet (6,096 meters)
Armament
Two 7.62 mm miniguns or two .50-caliber machine guns
Main fuel capacity
644 gallons in the main tank, compared with 360 gallons in the earlier Pave Hawk baseline cited by Lockheed Martin
Mission systems
Digital radar-warning receiver, laser/missile/hostile-fire warning, chaff and flares, Link 16, Situational Awareness Data Link, advanced communications, and cockpit/cabin displays
Protection
Cabin and cockpit armor, ballistic protection upgrades, upturned IR-masking exhausts, and integrated defensive systems
Combat Rescue Mission Fit

The Jolly Green II is documented as a purpose-built combat rescue helicopter rather than a generic Black Hawk derivative. Air Force material frames the aircraft around recovery of isolated personnel in hostile or denied territory, while Lockheed Martin emphasizes range, survivability, mission-system integration, and fuel capacity as the recapitalization drivers.

Personnel recovery

Air Force fact-sheet language covers recovery of isolated personnel by day or night, in adverse weather, and in threat environments from terrorist to CBRN conditions.

Source: HH-60W Jolly Green II | Davis-Monthan AFB.

Survivability package

Public descriptions list warning receivers, missile and hostile-fire warning, chaff and flares, armor, IR-masking exhausts, and externally mounted defensive guns.

Sources: HH-60W Jolly Green II | Davis-Monthan AFB; U.S. Air Force declares IOC of Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II | Lockheed Martin.

Range and networking

The aircraft is air refuelable, has a 644-gallon main tank in Lockheed Martin's IOC release, and carries Link 16 plus Situational Awareness Data Link equipment in Air Force fact-sheet material.

Sources: HH-60W Jolly Green II | Davis-Monthan AFB; U.S. Air Force declares IOC of Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II | Lockheed Martin.

Deployed CASEVAC

USAFE-AFAFRICA reported HH-60W helicopters and HC-130J recovery aircraft in the first real-world HH-60W CASEVAC operation in the Africa area of responsibility.

Source: Rescue force successfully saves two in first HH-60W combat CASEVAC in Africa AOR | U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa.

Aerial Refueling Aircraft

The HH-60W is air-refuelable, and official DVIDS coverage documents it taking fuel from HC-130J Combat King II aircraft during test and exercise activity.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
HC-130J Combat King II, Fixed-wing personnel recovery and helicopter air-to-air refueling aircraft, Aircraft & UAVsHC-130J Combat King IIPersonnel-recovery tanker aircraft

DVIDS reported the HH-60W's first aerial-refueling connection with an HC-130J tanker in 2020 and later documented an HH-60W receiving fuel from an HC-130J Combat King II during Exercise Steel Knight 25.

Sources: Jolly Green II begins aerial refueling tests | DVIDS, Steel Knight 25 BRoll: HH60W Jolly Green II Air-to-Air Refueling | DVIDS

Firing Weapons

DVIDS documented the HH-60W firing the GAU-2C mini-gun and GAU-21 during 41st Rescue Squadron testing in March 2022.

AmmunitionAmmunition typeFiring evidence
GAU-2C mini-gun, 7.62 mm minigun, Infantry WeaponsGAU-2C mini-gun7.62 mm minigun

DVIDS says the 41st Rescue Squadron was the first in the U.S. Air Force to test the GAU-2C mini-gun on the HH-60W Jolly Green II in March 2022.

Sources: 41 RQS tests GAU-2C, GAU-21 weapon systems

GAU-21, .50-caliber machine gun, Infantry WeaponsGAU-21.50-caliber machine gun

DVIDS says the 41st Rescue Squadron was the first in the U.S. Air Force to test the GAU-21 .50 caliber machine gun on the HH-60W Jolly Green II in March 2022.

Sources: 41 RQS tests GAU-2C, GAU-21 weapon systems

Compatible Guns

FN Herstal says the HH-60W windows can mount the GAU-18/A and the 7.62 mm M134 minigun through the external mounted gun system.

Compatible itemItem typeCompatibility evidence
GAU-18/A machine gun, .50 caliber helicopter machine gun, Infantry WeaponsGAU-18/A machine gun.50 caliber machine gun

FN Herstal says the HH-60W windows can install the GAU-18/A machine gun through the external mounted gun system.

Sources: FN HH-60W EMGS, FN EMGS

M134 Minigun, 7.62 mm minigun, Infantry WeaponsM134 Minigun7.62 mm minigun

FN Herstal says the HH-60W windows can install the 7.62 mm M134 minigun through the external mounted gun system.

Sources: FN HH-60W EMGS, FN EMGS

Timeline

HH-60W Jolly Green II Key Events

  1. First flight

    The HH-60W made its first flight on May 17, 2019.

    Sources: Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter Achieves First Flight | Lockheed Martin

  2. First aircraft delivered to Moody

    The Air Force received its first two HH-60W helicopters at Moody Air Force Base, beginning the transition from the HH-60G Pave Hawk.

    Sources: USAF’s first HH-60W Jolly Green II arrives at Moody AFB | United States Air Force

  3. First rescue mission

    Moody Air Force Base reported the HH-60W's first rescue mission with the 38th and 41st Rescue Squadrons.

    Sources: HH-60W Jolly Green II | Davis-Monthan AFB

  4. First publicized Horn of Africa save

    USAFE-AFAFRICA reported HH-60W crews saved two partner-force members in the Horn of Africa during the type's first real-world CASEVAC operation there.

    Sources: Rescue force successfully saves two in first HH-60W combat CASEVAC in Africa AOR | U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces Africa

  5. Iran rescue reporting

    Breaking Defense reported the HH-60W was used in combat to recover a downed F-15 pilot in Iran, drawing renewed attention to the fleet.

    Sources: The HH-60W helped rescue a pilot in Iran. Here’s why the Air Force might not buy more. - Breaking Defense

Media

HH-60W Jolly Green II Videos

HH-60W Jolly Green II Images

HH-60W Jolly Green II, Combat rescue helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 1
Source: 56th Rescue Squadron conduct transition training in HH-60W (8925879).jpg
HH-60W Jolly Green II, Combat rescue helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 2
Source: HH-60W Jolly Green II Conducts First Flight (8863669).jpg
HH-60W Jolly Green II, Combat rescue helicopter, Aircraft & UAVs - view 3
Source: Air Force Jolly Green IIs refuel over USCENTCOM AOR (9026135).jpg
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Sources

HH-60W Jolly Green II | Davis-Monthan AFBPublisher: Davis-Monthan Air Force Base | Note: Supports mission role, general characteristics, first flight, IOC, contractor context, and first rescue mission background. | Accessed: 2026-07-04USAF’s first HH-60W Jolly Green II arrives at Moody AFB | United States Air ForcePublisher: United States Air Force | Note: Supports first delivery to Moody Air Force Base and transition from the HH-60G Pave Hawk. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Sikorsky HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter Achieves First Flight | Lockheed MartinPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports first flight and Sikorsky program background for the HH-60W. | Accessed: 2026-07-04U.S. Air Force declares IOC of Sikorsky HH-60W Jolly Green II | Lockheed MartinPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports manufacturer context, HH-60W capability description, and initial operational capability background. | Accessed: 2026-07-0441 RQS tests GAU-2C, GAU-21 weapon systemsPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports HH-60W live-fire testing with the GAU-2C mini-gun and GAU-21 .50 caliber machine gun during the March 2022 41st Rescue Squadron test. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Jolly Green II begins aerial refueling tests | DVIDSPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports the HH-60W's first aerial-refueling connection with an HC-130J tanker and the combat-search-and-rescue range rationale for the capability. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Steel Knight 25 BRoll: HH60W Jolly Green II Air-to-Air Refueling | DVIDSPublisher: DVIDS | Note: Supports HH-60W air-to-air refueling from an HC-130J Combat King II during Exercise Steel Knight 25. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Rescue force successfully saves two in first HH-60W combat CASEVAC in Africa AOR | U.S. Air Forces in Europe - Air Forces AfricaPublisher: United States Air Force | Note: Supports the first publicized real-world HH-60W CASEVAC save in the Horn of Africa. | Accessed: 2026-07-04The HH-60W helped rescue a pilot in Iran. Here’s why the Air Force might not buy more. - Breaking DefensePublisher: Breaking Defense | Note: Supports 2026 Iran War direct use: Breaking Defense reported that the U.S. Air Force used an HH-60W in combat to retrieve a downed F-15 pilot in Iran, describing it as the model's first combat recovery of an operator behind enemy lines. | Accessed: 2026-07-04The Rescue of DUDE 44: Inside the Massive Operation to Save Two Downed Airmen In IranPublisher: Air & Space Forces Magazine | Note: Supports 2026 Iran War direct use: the report identifies multiple HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters in the task force to recover downed F-15E crew in Iran and says the first aviator was recovered aboard an HH-60W under close-range gunfire. | Accessed: 2026-07-04FN HH-60W EMGSPublisher: FN Herstal | Note: Supports the HH-60W window installation context for the external mounted gun system and GAU-18/A compatibility. | Accessed: 2026-07-04FN EMGSPublisher: FN Herstal | Note: Supports the external mounted gun system, its GAU-18 compatibility language, and HH-60W operational use. | Accessed: 2026-07-04303rd ERQS HH-60W Jolly Green II.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a public-domain U.S. Air Force HH-60W photo. | Accessed: 2026-07-0456th Rescue Squadron conduct transition training in HH-60W (8925879).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a public-domain U.S. Air Force HH-60W training photo. | Accessed: 2026-07-04HH-60W Jolly Green II Conducts First Flight (8863669).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a public-domain HH-60W first-flight photo. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Air Force Jolly Green IIs refuel over USCENTCOM AOR (9026135).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a public-domain HH-60W aerial refueling photo. | Accessed: 2026-07-04