How many HH-53s could be converted to Pave Low III?

Short answer

Eight HH-53C aircraft received an improved systems package and were redesignated HH-53H Pave Low III (pending confirmation). The other figure in circulation, nine MH-53H and 32 HH-53, corresponds to the later upgrade to the MH-53J standard, not the conversion to HH-53H.

Published: November 6, 2026 · Updated: November 6, 2026 · Edited by Above Ten Thousand · Editorial policy

How many HH-53s could be converted to Pave Low III?

MH-53 Pave Low US Military

From day helicopters to Pave Low

The USAF's Super Jollies were essentially day and fair-weather machines, and downed crews often found themselves in trouble at night or in bad weather. In 1969, a limited sensor system for night and bad weather, Pave Low I, based on a low-light-level television camera, was deployed to Southeast Asia and combat-evaluated aboard a Super Jolly, but its reliability wasn't sufficient. In 1975 an HH-53B received the much-improved Pave Low II system and was redesignated YHH-53H.

Eight HH-53H and a second figure

That test proved far more satisfactory, so eight HH-53C aircraft received an even better systems package and the designation HH-53H Pave Low III (pending confirmation). All were delivered in 1979 and 1980. The figure of nine MH-53H and 32 HH-53 modified for night and bad-weather operations doesn't refer to that conversion, but to the later upgrade to the MH-53J standard.

From the MH-53J to the last mission

Between 1986 and 1990, a total of 31 HH-53B, HH-53C, and CH-53C aircraft were brought up to the MH-53J configuration, along with all the MH-53H aircraft, bringing the total to 41 MH-53J. The MH-53M Pave Low IV was derived from the MH-53J by adding an interactive defensive avionics system and an advanced multimission tactical terminal. The MH-53 Pave Low's last mission took place on September 27, 2008, when the six remaining helicopters flew in support of special operations forces in southwest Asia.