The Jolly Green II: The Newest Search and Rescue Helicopter

The Jolly Green II: The Newest Search and Rescue Helicopter

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The United States Air Force has recently named its new search and rescue helicopter. The Jolly Green II helicopter gets its name from the green search and rescue helicopters that the United States would operate during the Vietnam War. The Jolly Green II is based on the UH-60 Blackhawk and is expected to enter service soon.

The Jolly Green II, or the HH-60W, is intended to replace the HH-60G Pave Hawk. The Pave Hawk chopper is a derivative of the Blackhawk helicopter. In contrast to the Blackhawk, the Pave Hawk has mid air refueling capabilities. The new HH-60W will have mid air refueling capabilities, as well as improved avionics, engines, armor, and armament.

The helicopter’s manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, claims that the new chopper has twice the range of a Blackhawk at about 700 miles per flight and with mid air refueling capabilities, the HH-60W can cover even more distance.

The Jolly Green II’s name pays respect to the HH-3 Jolly Green Giant and the HH-53 Super Jolly Green Giant helicopters that were operated by US Air Force search and rescue teams during the Vietnam War, according to Popularmechanics.com. The name comes from the mascot of an American vegetable company’s mascot, the Jolly Green Giant.

The United States Air Force plans on purchasing 121 Jolly Green IIs. The first helicopters to arrive are expected to be delivered by 2021.