# HH-60W — Program Element 0605229F

**Program element:** 0605229F  
**Component:** U.S. Air Force  
**Appropriation:** 3600 — RDT&E, Air Force  
**Budget Activity:** 7 — Operational System Development  
**Vintage:** President's Budget PB2027  
**Canonical URL:** https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605229F

## Summary

U.S. Air Force funding ramps 117% to a $87.9M request in FY2027. In the FY2027 defense authorization, the House funded it in full; the Senate funded it in full; House appropriators funded it in full. Contractor leads the industry work.

## Funding profile

| Fiscal Year | Estimate Type | Amount ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| FY2025 | Actual | 31.6 |
| FY2026 | Enacted | 40.5 |
| FY2027 | Request | 87.9 |
| FY2028 | Outyear | 123.8 |
| FY2029 | Outyear | 82.3 |
| FY2030 | Outyear | 72.9 |
| FY2031 | Outyear | 60.1 |

> Estimate types are not summed — the profile mixes actuals, enacted law, the request, and outyear projections.

## Congressional marks (FY2027)

| Stage | Marked ($M) | Change ($M) |
|---|---|---|
| Request | 87.9 | — |
| House NDAA (HASC) | 87.9 | +0.0 |
| Senate NDAA (SASC) | 87.9 | +0.0 |
| House Approps (HAC-D) | 87.9 | +0.0 |

> FY2027 NDAA authorization marks, as of 2026-07-27. Not appropriations or final law.

## Projects (3)

| Project | Title | FY2025 actual | FY2026 enacted | FY2027 request | Move |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 674364 | HH-60W Modernization Development | 0.0 | 40.5 | 63.6 | +57% |
| 674365 | AFDW Development | 0.0 | 0.0 | 24.3 | new start |
| 670001 | HH-60W Modernization Development | 31.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | — |

> Projects are the summable leaves: the program element total is their sum, never added to it.

### Project 674364 — HH-60W Modernization Development

The HH-60W Jolly Green is the US Air Force's Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH). HH-60W, now in Full Rate Production (FRP) provides the modernization and upgrade to the legacy HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter. HH-60W modernization funding is crucial to ensure the HH-60W fleet can support the new theater and revitalize support for not only the crew but the rescues they save. RDT&E efforts include but are not limited to the Software Upgrade Program, Advanced Infrared Countermeasures (AIRCM), Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) with Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol (JREAP), Degraded Visual Environment System (DVES), Global Positioning System Anti-Jam (GPS-AJ), Link-16, Personnel Locator System (PLS), Joint Tactical Terminal (JTT), Hybrid Satcom, Radar Warning Receiver (RWR), Radio Frequency (RF) Threat Jamming, Friendly Force Tracker, HF Radio System, Snow Skis, Tactical Flight Symbology, Gun Mount System Performance Improvement, Next Gen Crypto Mod, Electronic Flight Bags, Electro Optical Infrared Sensors (EOIR), Automated Dependent Surveillance Broadcast - In Device, and Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) mission requirement modifications. HH-60W budget request supports three lines of effort to include but not limited to hardware and software programs. Follow-On Capability Upgrade Systems (FOCUS) includes three (3) capabilities; GPS-AJ, MUOS, and JREAP. MUOS provides narrow band military Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) communication capability with improved availability for voice and video communications and is the DoW directed replacement to Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Satellite Communication (SATCOM). With MUOS, The HH-60W will be compatible with future satellite communication standards. MUOS adds JREAP capability for Link-16 over the horizon /BLOS, Common Interactive Broadcast (CIB), and future data formats. JREAP is a joint protocol per Military Standard (MIL-STD) 3011E, which allows for extension of J-series and Common Message Format messages through long back-haul means BLOS range, e.g. SATCOM, land lines, and specifically used with MUOS. GPS-AJ will enable Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations in contested environments and areas with high jamming risk, especially where no other means of navigation exist, greatly reducing risk and significantly increasing combat capability in multiple theaters.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** Sikorsky (20.4, 32%), AFLCMC (6.0, 9.4%), 413th, 579th, 704th TS (3.9, 6.2%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Follow-On Capability Upgrade Systems (FOCUS) | 0.0 | 13.8 | 6.2 |
| Degraded Visual Environment System (DVES) | 0.0 | 0.4 | 2.0 |
| Link-16 Advanced Capability Modernization | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.5 |
| Communication Block Modification | 0.0 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
| Gun Mount System Performance Improvement | — | 0.0 | 9.8 |
| Software Upgrade Program (SUP) | 0.0 | 26.3 | 35.1 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project 674365 — AFDW Development

Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) Development effort involves modifying 2 of the 26 HH-60W aircraft to meet the AFDW mission requirements. Modifications include possible removal of components including, but not limited to Rescue Team Seat, Isolated Personnel Litter, Gun System, Chaff/Flare Buckets, and Doors/Floor Armor. In addition, this effort may include, but not limited to, the following modifications to the baseline HH-60W ARC 210 Gen 6 radios, Infrared Countermeasure (IRCM) system, and alternate seating arrangement. Funding Supports Training Systems, Support Equipment, Initial Spares, Operation Site Activation, Program Support Costs (PSC) activities, Other Government Costs (OGC), repair and technical support services, various studies and analysis, upgrades, future HH-60W planning activities, and resolution of Diminishing Manufacturing Sources/Material Shortages (DMSMS) and/or obsolescence issues. Funding may be used to address Diminishing Manufacturing Sources (DMS) issues. DMSMS activities may include, but are not limited to, bridge buys, life of type buys, buys to protect production schedule, and engineering efforts for redesign. This program element included all necessary expenses required to manage, execute, and deliver weapon system capability. The use of such program funds would be in addition to the civilian pay expenses budgeted in program elements 0605829F, 0605831F, 0605833F, and 0605898F.

**Named R-3 performers** (share of this project's FY2027 R-3 total, so they need not reach 100%)**:** Contractor (24.3, 100%).

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) Devlopment | 0.0 | 0.0 | 24.3 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

### Project 670001 — HH-60W Modernization Development

The HH-60W Jolly Green is the US Air Force's Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH). HH-60W, now in Full Rate Production (FRP) provides the modernization and upgrade to the legacy HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter. HH-60W modernization funding is crucial to ensure the HH-60W fleet can support the new theater and revitalize support for not only the crew but the rescues they save. RDT&E efforts include but are not limited to the Software Upgrade Program (SUP), Advanced Infrared Countermeasures (AIRCM), Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) with Joint Range Extension Applications Protocol (JREAP), Degraded Visual Environment System (DVES), Global Positioning System Anti-Jam (GPS-AJ), Link-16, Personnel Locator System (PLS), Joint Tactical Terminal (JTT), Radio Frequency (RF) Threat Jamming, HF Radio System, Snow Skis, Tactical Flight Symbology, Next Gen Crypto Mod, Electronic Flight Bags, Automated Dependent Surveillance Broadcast - In Device, and Air Force District of Washington (AFDW) mission requirement modifications. HH-60W budget request supports three lines of effort to include but not limited to hardware and software programs. Follow-On Capability Upgrade Systems (FOCUS) includes three (3) capabilities; GPS-AJ, MUOS, and JREAP. MUOS provides narrow band military Beyond Line-of-Sight (BLOS) communication capability with improved availability for voice and video communications and is the DoW directed replacement to Ultra High Frequency (UHF) Satellite Communication (SATCOM). With MUOS, the HH-60W will be compatible with future satellite communication standards. MUOS adds JREAP capability for Link-16 over the horizon/BLOS, Common Interactive Broadcast (CIB), and future data formats. JREAP is a joint protocol per Military Standard (MIL-STD) 3011E, which allows for extension of J-series and Common Message Format messages through long back-haul means BLOS range, e.g. SATCOM, land lines, and specifically used with MUOS. GPS-AJ will enable Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) operations in contested environments and areas with high jamming risk, especially where no other means of navigation exist, greatly reducing risk and significantly increasing combat capability in multiple theaters. SUP, DO 1, Agile Software Program provides software enhancements, deficiency corrections, and crypto-modernization mandates to the HH-60W fleet on an annual release cycle.

| Activity (R-2A) | FY2025 | FY2026 | FY2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Follow-On Capability Upgrade Systems (FOCUS) | 5.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Software Upgrade Program (SUP) | 24.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| HH-60W Degraded Visual Environment System (DVES) | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 |

> R-2A activities carry the prior, current and budget year only — no five-year plan. Coverage is partial, so count them, never total them.

## Where the FY2027 request goes

| Category | Share | $M |
|---|---|---|
| Industry primes | 62% | 54.7 |
| Government labs & warfare centers | 7.0% | 6.2 |
| Other / unspecified | 31% | 27.0 |

**Top named industry performers:** Contractor ($24.3M, 28%), Sikorsky ($20.4M, 23%), AFLCMC ($6.0M, 6.8%), 413th, 579th, 704th TS ($3.9M, 4.5%).

> R-3 exhibit contract funding, not USAspending obligations.

## Mission & acquisition strategy

The HH-60W Jolly Green is the US Air Force's Combat Rescue Helicopter (CRH). HH-60W, now in Full Rate Production (FRP) provides the modernization and upgrade to the legacy HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter. HH-60W modernization funding is crucial to ensure the HH-60W fleet can support the new theater and revitalize support for not only the crew but the rescues they save.

The HH-60W Capability Upgrades program will deliver iterative incremental capability upgrades to the HH-60W technical baseline based on ACC approved requirements and funding, and collective ACC/Program office candidate packaging and delivery. Discrete capability releases will involve hardware and software development (which may include integration of pre-existing material solutions), development of product support packages to ensure field supportability, verification of system performance prior to Government acceptance via lab, System Integration Lab, and flight testing, fleet retrofit via production cut-ins (when possible) or mod lines to include maintenance of common configuration, and updates to associated training systems to include the WST…

## Related program elements

- [0603913C — Israeli Cooperative Programs](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0603913C) (Defense-Wide)
- [0604742A — Constructive Simulation Systems Development](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0604742A) (Army)
- [0605296F — Microelectronics Secure Enclave](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605296F) (Air Force)
- [0605217N — Common Avionics](https://hitchintel.com/programs/0605217N) (Navy)

## Source & machine access

- **Source:** FY2027 Department of the Air Force RDT&E Budget Justification, Exhibits R-2/R-3, PE 0605229F (PB PB2027); FY2027 NDAA committee marks (as of 2026-07-27).
- **MCP:** `mcp.hitchintel.com` — `budget_get_program_element(pe="0605229F")`.

*HitchAI is an independent intelligence service, not affiliated with the U.S. Department of Defense. Budget figures are requests/estimates, not obligations.*