Mission

     The HH-3E, the Jolly Green Giant, is a twin-engine, heavy-lift 
helicopter. It is used for search and recovery of personnel and 
aerospace hardware in support of global air and space operations. It 
is also used for combat and special operations.

Features

     With the ability to operate from land or water, the Jolly Green 
Giants combat rescue-related equipment includes titanium armor 
plating, jettisonable external fuel tanks, internal self-sealing bladder-
type fuel tanks under the cabin floor, a retractable in-flight refueling 
probe, two 7.62mm machine guns, a forest penetrator and a high-
speed rescue hoist with 240 feet (72.8 meters) of cable. The Jolly 
Green Giant also has been used for astronaut contingency recovery. 
Several of the aircraft have been equipped with the mid-air retrieval 
system for recovery of aerospace hardware.

     The long-range helicopter has a hydraulically- operated rear ramp 
for straight-inloading and a jettisonable sliding door on the right side 
at the front of the cabin. It has a gas turbine auxiliary power supply 
for independent field operations and built-in equipment for the 
removal and replacement of all major components in remote areas. 
The five-blade rotors are pressurized for quick, easy inspection, and 
both the all-metal rotor and aluminum tail rotor are self-lubricating. 
The horizontal stabilizer is on the starboard side of the tail rotor 
pylon.

     The Jolly Green Giant has an automatic flight-control system, 
instrumentation for all-weather operation, and Doppler navigation 
equipment. Twin turboshaft engines are mounted side-by-side on top 
of the cabin, immediately forward of the main transmission. The 
aircraft also has a retractable tricycle-type landing gear.

Background

     The HH-3E helicopter is a modified version of the CH-3 transport 
helicopter. It was developed for aircrew rescue missions deep into 
enemy-held territory during the Vietnam War. Many downed 
aircrews were rescued by Jolly Green Giants and their crews.

     The first non-stop trans-Atlantic flight by a helicopter was made 
by two Jolly Green Giants between May 30 and June 1, 1967, when 
they flew from New York City to the Paris air show. During that 
4,270-mile (6,832-kilometer) flight, which took 30 hours and 46 
minutes, each aircraft was aerially refueled nine times. The Jolly 
Green Giant flew 251 combat missions during Operation Desert 
Storm.

General Characteristics

Primary Function: Combat search and recovery, and special 
operations.
Builder: Sikorsky Aircraft Division, United Technologies Corp.
Power Plant: Two General Electric T58-GE-5 engines.
Guidance System: Doppler navigation equipment.
Thrust: 1,500 pounds (675 kilograms) each engine.
Length: 72 feet, 10 inches (22.08 meters).
Height: 18 feet, 1 inch (5.46 meters).
Diameter of Main Rotor: 62 feet (18.79 meters).
Diameter of Tail Rotor: 10 feet, 4 inches (3.13 meters).
Speed: 164 mph (262.4 kph).
Ceiling: 12,000 feet (3,636.36 meters).
Maximum Takeoff Weight: 22,050 pounds (9,922.50 kilograms).
Range: 600 miles (521.94 nautical miles), unlimited with aerial 
refueling.
Armament (main and secondary): Two 7.62mm machine guns.
Load Options: 25 combat-equipped troops, 15 litter patients or 5,000 
pounds (2,250 kilograms) of cargo.
Unit Cost: $5.4 million.
Crew: 4 (pilot, co-pilot, flight engineer and a pararescue specialist. A 
flight surgeon may be included).
Date Deployed: 1966.
Inventory: Active force, 12; ANG, 0; Reserve, 0.

Point Of Contact: Air Mobility Command; Building 1905, Room 118; 
502 Scott Drive; Scott AFB, IL 62225-5317; DSN 576-4502, (618) 
256-4502.