The MH 60T jayhawk
The MH-60T Jayhawk: The U.S. Coast Guard's Versatile Aerial Lifeline
The MH-60T Jayhawk stands as a cornerstone of the United States Coast Guard's aviation fleet, embodying resilience, adaptability, and lifesaving prowess.
This twin-engine, medium-range helicopter, manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft (now part of Lockheed Martin), is a muAlti-mission workhorse designed for search and rescue (SAR), law enforcement, marine environmental protection, and military readiness operations.
Derived from the renowned Sikorsky S-70 family, which includes the U.S. Army's UH-60 Black Hawk and the Navy's SH-60 Seahawk, the Jayhawk has evolved to meet the demanding needs of maritime operations.
As of 2025, with ongoing upgrades and fleet expansions, the MH-60T continues to safeguard America's coasts and beyond, proving indispensable in high-stakes scenarios from hurricane response to drug interdiction.
The Jayhawk's history traces back to the mid-1980s when the Coast Guard sought a replacement for its aging HH-3F Pelican helicopters. In September 1986, Sikorsky was selected to develop the HH-60J variant, with the first prototype taking flight on August 8, 1989.
Deliveries began in June 1990, and by 1996, 42 HH-60Js had entered service. These helicopters quickly proved their mettle, participating in operations like Desert Storm in 1991 and Enduring Freedom in 2003, where they provided security and interdiction support in the Persian Gulf.
However, post-9/11 threats, including aggressive narco-traffickers, necessitated enhancements. Between 2007 and 2014, under the Integrated Deepwater System Program, 39 surviving HH-60Js were upgraded to MH-60T standards, incorporating an Airborne Use of Force (AUF) package for armed missions.
Six retired Navy SH-60F Seahawks were also converted, bolstering the fleet to 45 aircraft by 2024. At its core, the MH-60T is built for endurance and versatility.
It features a crew of four: pilot, co-pilot, and two flight crew members. The helicopter measures 64 feet 10 inches in length, with a rotor diameter of 53 feet 8 inches and a height of 17 feet.
Powered by two General Electric T700-GE-401C turboshaft engines, each delivering 1,890 shaft horsepower, it achieves a maximum speed of 205 mph and a cruise speed of 160 mph.
Its range exceeds 800 miles, more than double that of the Coast Guard's smaller MH-65 Dolphin, allowing for extended patrols. The maximum takeoff weight is 21,884 pounds, with an empty weight of 14,500 pounds, enabling it to carry heavy payloads, including up to three 120-gallon external fuel tanks for prolonged missions.
Key equipment includes a 600-pound capacity rescue hoist with 200 feet of cable, forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensors, search/weather radar, and NAVSTAR GPS navigation. For AUF roles, it's armed with a 7.62mm M240H machine gun and a .50-caliber Barrett M82 sniper rifle, providing defensive and disabling capabilities.
Upgrades have kept the MH-60T at the forefront of technology. The transition to the "T" model introduced a Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) glass cockpit with five multifunction displays, heads-up displays, and enhanced sensors like the WESCAM 12D electro-optic/infrared system.
In 2017, the Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) was launched to address aging airframes, many nearing 19,000 flight hours by 2024. SLEP involves replacing hulls with newly manufactured ones from Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky, rated for 20,000 hours, along with rewiring and dynamic component overhauls. By August 2024, the first new-hull MH-60T (CGNR 6063) was delivered, and three aircraft had completed SLEP.
In 2023, approval was granted to expand the fleet to 127 MH-60Ts, transitioning all rotary-wing operations from the MH-65 by the early 2040s, ensuring sustainability amid delays in future vertical lift programs.The MH-60T's real-world impact shines in its missions. In March 2021, U.S. and Canadian Coast Guard MH-60Ts rescued 31 fishermen from a sinking vessel off Nova Scotia, with U.S. crews hoisting 21 survivors.
A tense 2023 incident saw an MH-60T nearly crash during a cruise ship medevac amid a squall but safely completed the hoist. In October 2023, a Jayhawk from Air Station Elizabeth City saved four Canadian mariners from an overturned catamaran 140 miles off Wilmington, North Carolina. More recently, in August 2025, an Air Station Kodiak crew rescued four from a sinking vessel in the Gulf of Alaska.
And in December 2024, crews hoisted three mariners off Cape Hatteras during rough seas. These operations highlight the helicopter's all-weather capability, with a service ceiling of 5,000 feet hovering and robust armor for hazardous environments.Despite challenges, including four crashes by 2023 (two fatal), the MH-60T's safety record and upgrades underscore its reliability.
Looking ahead, as the Coast Guard phases out the MH-65, the MH-60T will assume even greater responsibilities, potentially incorporating advanced autonomy or hybrid propulsion in alignment with Department of Defense initiatives.
In an era of climate-driven disasters and evolving threats, the Jayhawk remains a symbol of the Coast Guard's motto: "Semper Paratus" – always ready.
Nautical Mile Magazine
