New Combat Rescue Helicopter flies first combined test mission with Army AH-64 Apache

The Air Force's HH-60W Combat Rescue Helicopter flew its first combined test mission with the Army's AH-64 Apache aircraft on May 19, according to a notice published today.

The joint flight took place at Eglin Air Force Base, FL, where the 413th Flight Test Squadron oversees developmental testing of the Sikorsky-built CRH that's replacing the Air Force's legacy HH-60G Pave Hawk fleet. The Army sent in the Apache combat helicopter for the event from Redstone Army Test Center, AL.

"The unique configuration of the AH-64 Apache gave our team the opportunity to test capabilities of the HH-60W in ways normally not possible here," said Christopher Martin, CRH lead test engineer at the 413th Flight Test Squadron, noting such flights prepare the helicopter to perform search-and-rescue missions in the joint warfighting environment.

The squadron is part of an integrated team with personnel from Sikorsky, the 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron and Air Force Operational Test Center that's conducting tests on the HH-60W. The team recently completed a month-long "trial of extremes" on the helicopter as well.