US Air Force, WASHINGTON: Air Force combat search and rescue teams will use a new helicopter — the now under development CSAR-X — to help recover downed pilots around 2012.
The new helicopter will replace 101 HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopters Air Force combat search and rescue teams now use.
The Air Force expects to begin purchasing the new aircraft by fiscal 2009, with delivery by fiscal 2011. They will be operational in fiscal 2012.
The cost of the new system is not yet determined because it will be based on the final source selection, said Lt. Col. Dave Morgan, combat search and rescue program element monitor for Air Force acquisition.
The Air Force must enhance the Pave Hawk fleet's size and availability for use by combatant commanders, said Lt. Col. Michael T. Healy, Air Force deputy division chief for mobility, combat search and rescue and special operations requirements.
“The HH-60 also has capability shortfalls, predominantly in range and in cabin size,” he said. “It is just fundamentally too small of an aircraft to do the mission we are asking it to do.”
The Air Force is considering several replacements for the HH-60. They are all based on existing helicopters which need modification to meet Air Force needs.
The replacement doesn't have to be a helicopter. But a fiscal 2002 analysis of alternatives determined a helicopter would probably be the most cost effective answer to Air Force Special Operations Command's call for a new airframe.
“We will select that which has the most benefit and cost-effective solution and will then take that decision forward, meet a milestone decision with the defense acquisition board and award a contract in Fiscal 2006,” Colonel Morgan said.
The acquisition strategy takes an existing aircraft and adds the capabilities needed for the CSAR mission. Building a new search and rescue platform on top of an existing airframe will bring the new hardware to pararescuemen sooner. And it will be more cost effective, Colonel Morgan said.
The CSAR-X requirements will make up for many of the HH-60
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