The U.S. Air Force is seeking over $200 million in its proposed 2027 budget for the HH-60W Jolly Green II combat search and rescue helicopter. This funding aims to integrate new capabilities, including advanced protections against shoulder-fired missiles and modifications to equip a portion of the fleet for VIP transport missions in the Washington D.C. area.
These budgetary requests come as the Air Force actively re-evaluates and redefines its combat search and rescue (CSAR) strategies. The HH-60W, often referred to as the “Whiskey,” serves as the modern replacement for the HH-60G Pave Hawk, a helicopter that has been in service since the 1980s.
The total budget request for 2027, while substantial, does not include provisions for the procurement of any new HH-60W aircraft. Instead, it allocates $116 million for ongoing procurement-related activities and $87.9 million specifically for research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E) initiatives for the helicopter.
The operational relevance of the HH-60W was recently underscored in early April during Operation Epic Fury. Whiskey aircraft were deployed to rescue downed U.S. pilots in Iran after an F-15E fighter jet was reportedly shot down by a shoulder-fired rocket. During this rescue mission, the HH-60W itself came under small arms fire, as confirmed by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine during a subsequent press briefing. This incident directly highlights the critical need for enhanced infrared countermeasures, the same type of defensive technology the Air Force is now prioritizing for the HH-60W fleet.
While the primary function of the HH-60W remains the combat search and rescue mission, a segment of the fleet is also being retrofitted for a different, yet essential, role: VIP transport. This mission, known as the Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) mission, involves replacing the aging UH-1 Huey helicopters currently used for these purposes.
These modifications represent the latest in a series of adjustments to the HH-60W program since it achieved initial operational capability (IOC) in 2022. The Air Force’s initial plan was to acquire 113 of these aircraft, a number that was subsequently reduced to 85 in 2023. However, later funding increases have pushed the total planned acquisition number back up to 102 aircraft. This revised figure includes 11 test aircraft, 89 production aircraft already procured, and an additional two aircraft slated for acquisition in the 2026 budget.
New Laser Jammer Needed
On April 7, the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center issued a “sources sought” notice to industry, signaling its intent to integrate one of two advanced countermeasure systems onto the HH-60W. The two systems under consideration are the Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) system and the Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasure (DAIRCM) system.
The notice explicitly stated, “The absence of a capable [Advanced Infrared Countermeasures] system on this platform significantly increases the risk of infrared guided missile engagement, jeopardizing mission success, aircraft survivability, and crew safety.” This statement underscores the urgency and importance of this upgrade, particularly in light of recent combat experiences.
The CIRCM system, developed by Northrop Grumman, has a proven track record with over 30,000 flight hours on various U.S. Army aircraft, including the AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook, and UH-60 Black Hawk. Notably, it is also employed on the VH-60N, commonly known as “Marine One,” which transports the President of the United States. The HH-60W is itself a derivative of the Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky Black Hawk family, suggesting a potential compatibility advantage.
Conversely, the DAIRCM system, produced by Leonardo DRS, is currently installed on the Air Force’s legacy HH-60 Pave Hawk, the Navy’s MH-60S Seahawk, and the Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper. The Air Force had previously conducted effectiveness testing on a version of the DAIRCM system on the Pave Hawk at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, in mid-2018, according to a Director of Test and Evaluation Report. Despite the Pave Hawk utilizing DAIRCM, the newer Whiskey model was not initially equipped with this countermeasure system.
Both CIRCM and DAIRCM systems employ quantum cascading lasers. As explained by David Snodgrass, vice president/general manager at Leonardo DRS in a promotional video, these lasers generate individual colors that mimic the aircraft’s exhaust. Once the system identifies a missile’s seeker, it rapidly blinks the laser beam on and off, creating a false target that decoys the missile away from the aircraft, thereby enhancing survivability.
VIP upgrades
The Air Force’s intention to modify 26 HH-60Ws for the VIP transport mission was initially disclosed in its fiscal 2026 budget request. This decision marks a shift from previous plans, which involved purchasing MH-139 helicopters for this role. According to an Air Force spokesman at the time, modifying existing Whiskeys was deemed more “cost-effective” than acquiring an entirely new type of aircraft for the VIP transport mission.
To convert these combat-designed helicopters into comfortable VIP transport vehicles, the Air Force issued an industry notice on April 17, seeking vendors capable of reconfiguring the aircraft. The modifications must accommodate seating for 11 passengers while simultaneously preserving essential search-and-rescue equipment, such as the rescue hoist, defensive weapons, and medical stations. This dual-use requirement presents a unique engineering challenge.
Specific changes outlined in the request include work on the cabin floor structure and the installation or upgrade of:
- Crashworthy seating subsystems
- Restraint systems
- Cabin interior configuration
- Weight and balance system
- Emergency egress system
- Oxygen system
- Electrical system
Conversely, contractors will also be tasked with removing certain combat-specific equipment to align the aircraft with its new “civilian government service” role. This includes the removal of the rescue team seat, isolated personnel litter, gun system, chaff/flare buckets, and armor from doors and floors.
For fiscal year 2027, the Air Force proposes to allocate $24 million in research and development funding to initiate the modification of the first two of the 26 aircraft designated for the VIP mission. The service anticipates awarding a contract for this work by December 2026, pending budgetary approval. Additionally, $37 million is being sought for procurement to support these initial modifications, with a significant portion allocated for simulator development. The total projected cost for the entire VIP modification process is estimated to be nearly $360 million, encompassing both R&D and procurement expenditures.
Why This Matters
This comprehensive overview of the HH-60W Jolly Green II’s budget and mission evolution highlights several critical aspects of modern military strategy, defense spending, and technological adaptation.
National Security and Personnel Protection: The HH-60W’s primary role in combat search and rescue (CSAR) is vital for national security. The ability to retrieve downed pilots and isolated personnel from hostile environments directly impacts military morale and operational effectiveness. The recent incident in Iran, where an HH-60W came under fire during a rescue mission, starkly illustrates the inherent dangers and the pressing need for enhanced protective measures like advanced infrared countermeasures. Investing in these systems directly safeguards airmen and increases the success rate of high-stakes rescue operations.
Military Modernization and Adaptability: The Air Force’s continuous re-evaluation and adaptation of the HH-60W program, from adjusting procurement numbers to integrating new capabilities, demonstrates an ongoing effort to modernize its fleet in response to evolving global threats. The decision to equip the “Whiskey” with advanced anti-missile technology signifies a recognition of sophisticated adversary capabilities and a proactive step to protect valuable assets and personnel.
Defense Spending and Resource Allocation: The over $200 million budget request for 2027, primarily for R&D and existing procurement, reflects significant ongoing investment in defense. This funding underscores the high cost of developing and maintaining cutting-edge military platforms. The shift in plans for VIP transport from purchasing new MH-139s to modifying HH-60Ws also reveals an emphasis on cost-effectiveness and efficient resource allocation, seeking to maximize the utility of existing or planned assets.
Technological Advancement in Defense: The focus on integrating Common Infrared Countermeasure (CIRCM) or Distributed Aperture Infrared Countermeasure (DAIRCM) systems showcases the critical role of advanced technology in ensuring aircraft survivability. The quantum cascading laser technology described represents the forefront of defensive systems, designed to defeat increasingly prevalent and dangerous infrared-guided missiles. This investment drives innovation within the defense industry and contributes to a technological advantage for the U.S. military.
Dual-Use Capabilities and Operational Efficiency: The decision to modify a portion of the HH-60W fleet for VIP transport demonstrates a strategic move towards dual-use platforms. While primarily a combat asset, its adaptation for high-priority domestic missions like transporting dignitaries around Washington D.C. highlights an effort to consolidate fleet types and potentially streamline maintenance and logistics. However, it also presents challenges in balancing combat-readiness with the specific requirements of VIP transport, as evidenced by the need to remove certain combat equipment for the latter role.
Ultimately, the Air Force’s current initiatives for the HH-60W Jolly Green II reflect a dynamic approach to military procurement and strategy, balancing the immediate demands of combat with long-term strategic needs, technological superiority, and fiscal responsibility.