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Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk

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The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift military utility helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. Sikorsky submitted a design for the United States Army's Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) competition in 1972. The Army designated the prototype as the YUH-60A and selected the Black Hawk as the winner of the program in 1976, after a fly-off competition with the Boeing Vertol YUH-61.

Named after the Native American war leader Black Hawk, the UH-60A entered service with the U.S. Army in 1979, to replace the Bell UH-1 Iroquois as the Army's tactical transport helicopter. This was followed by the fielding of electronic warfare and special operations variants of the Black Hawk. Improved UH-60L and UH-60M utility variants have also been developed.

Major variants include the Navy's SH-60 Seahawk, the Air Force's HH-60 Pave Hawk, the Coast Guard's MH-60 Jayhawk and the civilian S-70. In addition to use by U.S. armed forces, the UH-60 family has been exported to several nations and produced under contract in Japan as the Mitsubishi H-60.

DevelopmentEdit

File:Sikorsky YUH-60A and Boeing Vertol YUH-61A flyoff.jpg
The flyoff competition in the mid-1970s between the Sikorsky YUH-60A (in front) and Boeing Vertol YUH-61A prototypes

Initial requirementEdit

In the late 1960s, the United States Army began forming requirements for a helicopter to replace the UH-1 Iroquois, and designated the program as the Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS). The Army also initiated the development of a new, common turbine engine for its helicopters that would become the General Electric T700. Based on experience in Vietnam, the Army required significant performance, survivability and reliability improvements from both UTTAS and the new powerplant.<ref>Leoni 2007, pp. 8–10.</ref> The Army released its UTTAS request for proposals (RFP) in January 1972.<ref>Leoni 2007, pp. 11, 39.</ref> The RFP also included air transport requirements. Transport within the C-130 limited the UTTAS cabin height and length.<ref>Leoni 2007, pp. 39, 42–43.</ref>

The UTTAS requirements for improved reliability, survivability and lower life-cycle costs resulted in features such as dual-engines with improved hot and high altitude performance, and a modular design (reduced maintenance footprint); run-dry gearboxes; ballistically tolerant, redundant subsystems (hydraulic, electrical and flight controls); crashworthy crew (armored) and troop seats; dual-stage oleo main landing gear; ballistically tolerant, crashworthy main structure; quieter, more robust main and tail rotor systems; and a ballistically tolerant, crashworthy fuel system.<ref>Leoni 2007, pp. 42–48.</ref>

Four prototypes were constructed, with the first YUH-60A flying on 17 October 1974. Prior to the delivery of the prototypes to the US Army, a preliminary evaluation was conducted in November 1975 to ensure the aircraft could be operated safely during all testing.<ref>Leoni 2007, p. 165.</ref> Three of the prototypes were delivered to the Army in March 1976, for evaluation against the rival Boeing-Vertol design, the YUH-61A, and one was kept by Sikorsky for internal research. The Army selected the UH-60 for production in December 1976. Deliveries of the UH-60A to the Army began in October 1978 and the helicopter entered service in June 1979.<ref name="Eden">Eden, Paul. "Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk/Seahawk", Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft. Amber Books, 2004. Template:ISBN.</ref>

Upgrades and variationsEdit

File:UH-60As over Port Salines airport Grenada 1983.JPEG
UH-60A Black Hawks over Port Salinas during the invasion of Grenada, 1983. The conflict saw the first use of the UH-60 in combat.

After entering service, the helicopter was modified for new missions and roles, including mine laying and medical evacuation. An EH-60 variant was developed to conduct electronic warfare and special operations aviation developed the MH-60 variant to support its missions.<ref>Tomajczyk 2003, pp. 15–29.</ref>

Due to weight increases from the addition of mission equipment and other changes, the Army ordered the improved UH-60L in 1987. The new model incorporated all of the modifications made to the UH-60A fleet as standard design features. The UH-60L also featured more power and lifting capability with upgraded T700-GE-701C engines and an improved gearbox, both from the SH-60B Seahawk.<ref name="Leoni p217-8">Leoni 2007, pp. 217–18.</ref> Its external lift capacity increased by Template:Convert up to Template:Convert. The UH-60L also incorporated the SH-60B's automatic flight control system (AFCS) for better flight control with more powerful engines.<ref name= "Bishop_UH-60">Bishop 2008.</ref> Production of the L-model began in 1989.<ref name="Leoni p217-8"/>

File:CSA-2005-05-05-102937.jpg
UH-60s equipped with M60 machine guns near An Najaf, Iraq, May 2005.

Development of the next improved variant, the UH-60M, was approved in 2001, to extend the service life of the UH-60 design into the 2020s. The UH-60M incorporates upgraded T700-GE-701D engines, improved rotor blades, and state-of-the-art electronic instrumentation, flight controls and aircraft navigation control. After the U.S. DoD approved low-rate initial production of the new variant,<ref>"Pentagon Acquisition Panel Authorizes UH-60M Black Hawk Low Rate Initial Production". Template:Webarchive Sikorsky Aircraft, 4 April 2005.</ref> manufacturing began in 2006,<ref name=Leoni_p233-6>Leoni 2007, pp. 233–36.</ref> with the first of 22 new UH-60Ms delivered in July 2006.<ref name= "new production UH-60M">"Sikorsky Aircraft Delivers First New Production UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopter to U.S. Army". Template:Webarchive Sikorsky Aircraft, 31 July 2006.</ref> After an initial operational evaluation, the Army approved full-rate production and a five-year contract for 1,227 helicopters in December 2007.<ref name="UH-60_army-tech"/> By March 2009, 100 UH-60M helicopters had been delivered to the Army.<ref>"Sikorsky Aircraft Delivers 100th New Production UH-60M BLACK HAWK Helicopter to U.S. ..." Template:Webarchive Reuters, 25 March 2009.</ref> In November 2014, the US military ordered 102 aircraft of various H-60 types, worth $1.3 billion.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Following their use in the operation to kill Osama bin Laden in May 2011, it emerged that the 160th SOAR used a secret version of the UH-60 modified with low-observable technology which enabled it to evade Pakistani radar. Analysis of the tail section, the only remaining part of the aircraft which crashed during the operation,<ref>"US used never-seen-before stealth helicopters for Osama raid." Template:Webarchive ndtv.com, 5 May 2011. Retrieved 5 May 2011.</ref><ref name=ABC_Stealth_Helicopter>Ross, Brian, Rhonda Schwartz, Lee Ferran and Avni Patel. "Top Secret Stealth Helicopter Program Revealed in Osama Bin Laden Raid: Experts." Template:Webarchive ABC World News, 4 May 2011.</ref> revealed extra blades on the tail rotor and other noise reduction measures, making the craft much quieter than conventional UH-60s. The aircraft appeared to include features like special high-tech materials, harsh angles, and flat surfaces found only in stealth jets.<ref group="Nb">According to an Army Times article, "During the 1990s U.S. Special Operations Command worked with the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works division, which also designed the F-117, to refine the radar-evading technology and apply it to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment's MH-60s," [a retired special operations aviator] said. USSOCOM awarded a contract to Boeing to modify several MH-60s to the low-observable design "in the '99 to 2000 timeframe," he also said.</ref><ref name=Army_Times_stealth_Black_Hawk>Naylor, Sean D. "Army mission helicopter was secret, stealth Black Hawk". Army Times, 4 May 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2011.</ref> Low observable versions of the Black Hawk have been studied as far back as the mid-1970s.<ref>"Structural Concepts and Aerodynamic Analysis for Low Radar Cross Section (LRCS) Fuselage Configurations". Template:Webarchive DTIC. Retrieved: 23 August 2011.</ref>

In September 2012, Sikorsky was awarded a Combat Tempered Platform Demonstration (CTPD) contract to further improve the Black Hawk's durability and survivability. The company is to develop new technologies such as a zero-vibration system, adaptive flight control laws, advanced fire management, a more durable main rotor, full-spectrum crashworthiness, and damage-tolerant airframe; then they are to transition them to the helicopter. Improvements to the Black Hawk are to continue until the Future Vertical Lift program is ready to replace it.<ref>"Sikorsky awarded contract to integrate and test enhanced Black Hawk helicopter capabilities". Template:Webarchive Sikorsky press release, 18 September 2012.</ref><ref>"Future Vertical Lift: Have Plan, Need Money" Template:Webarchive. Aviation today, 1 July 2012.</ref>

In December 2014, the 101st Airborne Division began testing new resupply equipment called the Enhanced Speed Bag System (ESBS). Soldiers in the field requiring quick resupply have depended on speed bags filled with items airdropped from a UH-60. However, all systems were ad hoc with bags not made to keep objects secure from impacts, so up to half of the airdropped items would be damaged upon hitting the ground. Started in 2011, the ESBS sought to standardize the airdrop resupply method and keep up to 90 percent of supplies intact. The system includes a hands-free reusable linear brake and expendable speed line and a multipurpose cargo bag. When the bag is deployed, the brake applies friction to the rope, slowing it down enough to keep the bag oriented down on the padded base, a honeycomb and foam kit inside to dissipate energy.<ref name="army.mil">"Adding new punch to aerial deliveries" , Army, 16 August 2013</ref><ref name="ReferenceA">"Picatinny 'Speed Bag' resupplies Soldiers with less equipment damage" , Army, 25 June 2014</ref><ref name="The enhanced speed bag system">The enhanced speed bag system , Army, 7 July 2015</ref>

The ESBS better protects helicopter-dropped supplies, and allows the Black Hawk to fly higher above the ground, Template:Convert up from 10 feet, while travelling Template:Convert, limiting exposure to ground fire. Each bag can weigh Template:Convert and up to six can be deployed at once, dropping at Template:Convert. Since supplies can be delivered more accurately and the system can be automatically released on its own, the ESBS can enable autonomous resupply from unmanned helicopters.<ref name="army.mil"/><ref name="ReferenceA"/><ref name="The enhanced speed bag system"/>

DesignEdit

File:A U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter assigned to the Colorado Army National Guard flies to perform a water drop while fighting the Black Forest Fire near Colorado Springs, Colo., June 12, 2013 130612-Z-UA373-388.jpg
A UH-60L cockpit

The UH-60 features four-blade main and tail rotors, and is powered by two General Electric T700 turboshaft engines.<ref name=Harding/> The main rotor is fully articulated and has elastomeric bearings in the rotor head. The tail rotor is canted and features a rigid crossbeam.<ref>Leoni 2007</ref> The helicopter has a long, low profile shape to meet the Army's requirement for transporting aboard a C-130 Hercules, with some disassembly.<ref name=Harding>Harding, Stephen. "Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk". U.S. Army Aircraft Since 1947. Atglen, Pennsylvania: Schiffer Publishing Ltd., 1997. Template:ISBN.</ref> It can carry 11 troops with equipment, lift Template:Convert of cargo internally or Template:Convert of cargo (for UH-60L/M) externally by sling.<ref name="UH-60_army-tech"/>

The Black Hawk helicopter series can perform a wide array of missions, including the tactical transport of troops, electronic warfare, and aeromedical evacuation. A VIP version known as the VH-60N is used to transport important government officials (e.g., Congress, Executive departments) with the helicopter's call sign of "Marine One" when transporting the President of the United States.Template:Citation needed In air assault operations, it can move a squad of 11 combat troops or reposition a 105 mm M119 howitzer with 30 rounds ammunition and a four-man crew in a single lift.<ref name="UH-60_army-tech">"UH-60 Black Hawk Sikorsky S-70A – Multi-Mission Helicopter." Template:Webarchive Army-Technology.com. Retrieved 24 October 2012. Template:Unreliable source?</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Black Hawk is equipped with advanced avionics and electronics for increased survivability and capability, such as the Global Positioning System.

File:UH 60 cockpit over Hollywood.jpg
A view of interior and cockpit of a UH-60

The UH-60 can be equipped with stub wings at the top of the fuselage to carry fuel tanks or various armaments. The initial stub wing system is called External Stores Support System (ESSS).<ref>"Preliminary Airworthiness Eval of UH-60A Configured with ESSS." Template:Webarchive US DoD. Retrieved 24 October 2012.</ref> It has two pylons on each wing to carry two Template:Convert and two Template:Convert tanks in total.<ref name="Bishop_UH-60"/> The four fuel tanks and associated lines and valves form the external extended range fuel system (ERFS).Template:Citation needed U.S. Army UH-60s have had their ESSS modified into the crashworthy external fuel system (CEFS) configuration, replacing the older tanks with up to four total Template:Convert crashworthy tanks along with self-sealing fuel lines.<ref name="cefs">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} Template:Dead link</ref> The ESSS can also carry Template:Convert of armament such as rockets, missiles and gun pods.<ref name="Bishop_UH-60"/><ref>"Preliminary Airworthiness Eval of UH-60A/ESSS with Hellfire Missile Launcher Installed." Template:Webarchive DTIC.mil. Retrieved: 24 October 2012.</ref> The ESSS entered service in 1986. However, it was found that the four fuel tanks obstruct the field of fire for the door guns; thus, the external tank system (ETS), carrying two fuel tanks on the stub wings, was developed.<ref name="Bishop_UH-60"/>

The unit cost of the H-60 models varies due to differences in specifications, equipment and quantities. For example, the unit cost of the Army's UH-60L Black Hawk is $5.9 million while the Air Force HH-60G Pave Hawk has a unit cost of $10.2 million.Template:Citation needed

Operational historyEdit

The UH-60 Black Hawk is in service with 35 countries as of 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

AustraliaEdit

File:Australian Army Black Hawk Zhu-2.jpg
An Australian Army S-70A-9

Australia bought early model UH-60 in the 1980s, and is buying a fleet of newer versions ones in the 2020s: Australia ordered fourteen S-70A-9 Black Hawks in 1986 and an additional twenty-five Black Hawks in 1987.<ref name="BoeingAust">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name= "Leoni_p253">Leoni 2007, p. 253.</ref> The first US-produced Black Hawk was delivered in 1987 to the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).<ref name="BoeingAust"/> de Havilland Australia produced thirty-eight Black Hawks under license from Sikorsky in Australia delivering the first in 1988 and the last in 1991.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="BoeingAust"/> In 1989, the RAAF's fleet of Black Hawks was transferred to the Australian Army.<ref name="BoeingAust"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Black Hawks saw operational service in Cambodia, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, East Timor and Pakistan.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In April 2009, the then-defence chief Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston, told the government not to deploy Black Hawks to Afghanistan as at the time they "lacked armor and self-defense systems", and despite an upgrade to address this underway, it was more practical to use allies' helicopters.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2004, the government selected the Multi-Role Helicopter (MRH-90) Taipan, a variant of the NHIndustries NH90, to replace the Black Hawk even though the Department of Defence had recommended the S‐70M Black Hawk.<ref name="ANAO">Template:Cite book</ref>

In January 2014, the Army began retiring the fleet of 34 Black Hawks from service (five had been lost in accidents) and had planned for this to be completed by June 2018.Template:Sfn<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Chief of Army delayed the retirement of 20 Black Hawks until 2021 to enable the Army to develop a special operations role capable MRH-90.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 10 December 2021, the S-70A-9 Black Hawks were retired from service.<ref name="ADBR21">Template:Cite news</ref> On the same day, amid issues with the performance of the MRH-90s the government announced that they would be replaced by UH-60M Black Hawks.<ref name="ADBR21"/><ref name="Dutton">Template:Cite press release</ref> In January 2023, the Army announced the acquisition of 40 UH-60Ms with deliveries commencing in 2023.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>

BrazilEdit

Brazil received four UH-60L helicopters in 1997, for the Brazilian Army peacekeeping forces. It received six UH-60Ls configured for special forces, and search and rescue uses in 2008. It ordered ten more UH-60Ls in 2009; deliveries began in March 2011.<ref name=DID_Brazil_Buys>Template:Cite news</ref> In July 2024, the MoD authorized the purchase of 12 additional UH-60Ms, in a US$451 million plan.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

ChinaEdit

In December 1983, examples of the Aerospatiale AS-332 Super Puma, Bell 214ST SuperTransport and Sikorsky S-70A-5 (N3124B) were airlifted to Lhasa for testing. These demonstrations included take-offs and landings at altitudes to Template:Convert and en route operations to Template:Convert. At the end of this testing, the People's Liberation Army purchased 24 S-70C-2s, equipped with more powerful GE T700-701A engines for improved high-altitude performance.<ref name="Leoni_p286">Leoni 2007, pp. 286-292.</ref> While designated as civil variants of the S-70 for export purposes, they are operated by the People's Liberation Army Aviation units.

ColombiaEdit

File:UH-60 PNC-0601 Black Hawk (5572814109).jpg
A Colombian National Police UH-60 Black Hawk in November 2010

Template:For

Colombia first received UH-60s from the U.S. in 1987. The Colombian National Police, Colombian Aerospace Force, and Colombian Army use UH-60s to transport troops and supplies to places which are difficult to access by land for counter-insurgency (COIN) operations against drug and guerrilla organizations, for search and rescue, and for medical evacuation. Colombia also operates a militarized gunship version of the UH-60, with stub wings, locally known as Arpía (Template:Langx).<ref>Leoni 2007, pp. 270–273.</ref><ref>Arpía Template:Webarchive. SpanishDict.com. Retrieved 30 September 2009. "Arpía [ar-pee'-ah] noun 1. (Poetic.) Harpy, a bird of prey represented by poets. (f)"</ref>

The Colombian Army became the first worldwide operator of the S-70i with Terrain Awareness and Warning Capability (HTAWS) after taking delivery of the first two units on 13 August 2013.<ref name=ColBlackhawks2013>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

IsraelEdit

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) received 10 surplus UH-60A Black Hawks from the U.S. in August 1994.<ref name=Leoni_p278-9>Leoni 2007, pp. 278–279.</ref> Named Yanshuf (Template:Langx) by the IAF,<ref>"Sikorsky UH-60 / S-70 Blackhawk (Yanshuf)." Template:Webarchive Jewish Virtual Library Retrieved: 18 November 2013.</ref> the UH-60A began replacing Bell 212 utility helicopters.<ref name=Leoni_p278-9/> The IAF first used the UH-60s in combat during 1996 in southern Lebanon<ref name=Leoni_p278-9/> in Operation Grapes of Wrath against Hezbollah.

MexicoEdit

File:Sikorsky S-70A-24A Black Hawk, Mexico - Air Force AN2158152.jpg
Mexican Air Force S-70A-24A

The Mexican Air Force ordered its first two UH-60Ls in 1991 to transport special forces units, and another four in 1994.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In July and August 2009, the Federal Police used UH-60s in attacks on drug traffickers.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In August 2011, the Mexican Navy received three upgraded and navalized UH-60M.<ref name=Sikorsky>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 21 April 2014, the U.S. State Department approved the sale of 18 UH-60Ms to Mexico pending approval from Congress.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In September 2014, Sikorsky received a $203.6 million (~$Template:Format price in Template:Inflation/year) firm-fixed-price contract modification for the 18 UH-60s designated for the Mexican Air Force.<ref name=did1>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

PhilippinesEdit

File:PAF S-70A.jpg
A Philippine S-70-A5 VIP of the Presidential Airlift Wing

2 S-70-A5 VIP helicopters purchased 1983 and was delivered in 1984, this Blackhawk served the 250th PAW for more than 3 decades as a Presidential VVIP transport helicopter. Only 1 remains in service with the 505th Search and Rescue Group.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In March 2019, the Philippines' Department of National Defense (DND) signed a contract worth US$241.4 million (~$Template:Format price in Template:Inflation/year) with Lockheed Martin's Polish subsidiary PZL Mielec for 16 Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawks to the PAF.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 10 December 2020, the PAF commissioned their first batch of six S-70i Blackhawks, with the remaining 10 to be delivered in 2021.<ref name="PhAF S-70i_commissioning1">Template:Cite news</ref> In June 2021, the air service received a second batch of five helicopters.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In November 2021, the third batch of five arrived.<ref name="PhAF S70i batch3 delivery PNA">Template:Cite news</ref>

On 22 February 2022, DND and PZL Mielec formally signed the US$624 million contract for 32 additional S-70i Black Hawks,<ref name="PhAF 32 S70i orders">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> totaling to around 48 units ordered.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This will make the Philippine Air Force the largest user of S-70i Blackhawk Helicopters globally.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

PolandEdit

In January 2019, Poland ordered four S-70i Black Hawks with four delivered to the Polish Special Forces in December of that same year.<ref name="PSF batch2 buy of 4 S70i">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Another four S-70i helicopters are on order with two scheduled for delivery in 2023 and two in 2024.<ref name="PSF batch2 buy of 4 S70i"/> In July 2023, Poland launched a procurement tender for S-70i Black Hawks with a goal to order approximately 32 helicopters.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

SlovakiaEdit

In February 2015, the U.S. State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of nine UH-60Ms with associated equipment and support to Slovakia and sent it to Congress for its approval.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>"State OK's Slovakia UH-60 Deal". Defense News, 20 February 2015.</ref> In April 2015, Slovakia's government approved the procurement of nine UH-60Ms along with training and support.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>[1] Template:Webarchive Jane's</ref> In September 2015, Slovakia ordered four UH-60Ms.<ref name=Sik_contract>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The first two UH-60Ms were delivered in June 2017; the Slovak Air Force had received all nine UH-60Ms by January 2020. These are to replace its old Soviet Mil Mi-17s.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In 2020, the Slovak minister of defense announced Slovakia's interest in buying two more UH-60Ms.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Slovak Training Academy (European Air Services / Heli Company) from Košice, a private company, operates some older UH-60As & Bs for pilot training, aerial fire fighting and sky crane operations.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

SwedenEdit

File:Swedish Helicopter Force UH-60.png
A Swedish UH-60 landing during a demonstration

Sweden requested 15 UH-60M helicopters by Foreign Military Sale in September 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The UH-60Ms were ordered in May 2011, and deliveries began in January 2012.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In March 2013, Swedish ISAF forces began using Black Hawks in Afghanistan for MEDEVAC purposes.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The UH-60Ms have been fully operational since 2017.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }} (English translation) Template:Webarchive</ref> Sweden designates it the Helicopter 16 (Hkp 16). In June 2024, Sweden ordered 12 more UH-60Ms from the US.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

South KoreaEdit

The Republic of Korea Armed Forces is also an operator and has produced about 130 aircraft under license from Korean Air since the 1990s and domestically producing and introducing the UH-60 simulator. However, the cockpit is analog compared to the digital one in the United States, but since this business started after the 1988 Olympics, there was no such thing as a glass cockpit with an LCD monitor. Currently, the majority of South Korea's UH-60s belong to the Army, including more than 30 units operated by the Special Operations Aviation Corps.Template:Cn

TaiwanEdit

Taiwan (Republic of China) operated S-70C-1/1A after the Republic of China Air Force received ten S-70C-1A and four S-70C-1 Bluehawk helicopters in June 1986 for Search and Rescue.<ref name="taiwanairpower1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Four more S-70C-6s were received in April 1998. The ROC Navy received the first of ten S-70C(M)-1s in July 1990. 11 S-70C(M)-2s were received beginning April 2000.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In January 2010, the US announced approval for a Foreign Military Sale of 60 UH-60Ms to Taiwan<ref name="USA okays Hawks for Taiwan">Template:Cite news</ref> with 30 designated for the Army, 15 for the National Airborne Service Corps (including the one that crashed off Orchid Island in 2018) and 15 for the Air Force Rescue Group (including the one that crashed 2 January 2020).<ref name="focus">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

TurkeyEdit

Turkey has operated the UH-60 during NATO deployments to Afghanistan and the Balkans. The UH-60 has also been used in counter-terror/internal security operations.Template:Citation needed

The Black Hawk competed against the AgustaWestland AW149 in the Turkish General Use Helicopter Tender, to order up to 115 helicopters and produce many of them indigenously, with Turkish Aerospace Industries responsible for final integration and assembly.<ref name=FI_Turkey_to_decide>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news Template:Dead link</ref> On 21 April 2011, Turkey announced the selection of Sikorsky's T-70.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In the course of the coup d'état attempt in Turkey on 15 July 2016, eight Turkish military personnel of various ranks landed in Greece's northeastern city of Alexandroupolis on board a Black Hawk helicopter and claimed political asylum in Greece.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The helicopter was returned to Turkey shortly thereafter.<ref name="bbc.com">Template:Cite news</ref>

UkraineEdit

{{#invoke:Labelled list hatnote|labelledList|Main article|Main articles|Main page|Main pages}} In February 2023, Ukraine's Main Directorate of Intelligence (HUR) published a video showing them operating at least two UH-60s painted in Ukrainian colors.<ref name="Ukraine 1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The helicopters appeared to have minimal modifications, namely the addition of two M240 7.62 mm machine guns for defensive purposes.<ref name="Ukraine 1" /> It was confirmed that at least one of these was purchased by a third party, Ace Aeronautics, following a Czech crowdfunding effort that raised US$6 million.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> On 17 March 2024, Russia claimed to have shot down a UH-60 during the March 2024 western Russia incursion, claiming it was a "troop transport" carrying 20 troops into combat. However, it was revealed to be a Mil Mi-8 instead.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

United StatesEdit

File:Black Hawk Down Super64 over Mogadishu coast.jpg
A U.S. Army MH-60L during the Battle of Mogadishu, 1993

The UH-60 entered service with the U.S. Army's 101st Combat Aviation Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division in June 1979.<ref name="goebel_uttas">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The U.S. military first used the UH-60 in combat during the invasion of Grenada in 1983, and again in the invasion of Panama in 1989. During the Gulf War in 1991, the UH-60 participated in the largest air assault mission in U.S. Army history with over 300 helicopters involved. Two UH-60s (89-26214 and 78–23015) were shot down, both on 27 February 1991, while performing Combat Search and Rescue of other downed aircrews, an F-16C pilot and the crew of a MEDEVAC UH-1H that were shot down earlier that day.<ref>"Black Hawks." Template:Webarchive armyaircrews.com. Retrieved 24 October 2012.</ref>

In 1993, Black Hawks featured prominently in the Battle of Mogadishu in Somalia during which two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down. Black Hawks also saw action in the Balkans and Haiti in the 1990s.<ref name="Bishop_UH-60"/> U.S. Army UH-60s and other helicopters conducted many air assaults and other support missions during the 2003 invasion of Iraq. The UH-60 has continued to serve in operations in Afghanistan and Iraq.<ref name="Bishop_UH-60"/>

File:Cockpit view of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter at Camp Taji, Iraq.jpg
Cockpit view Iraq, 2009

Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine (OAM) uses the UH-60 in its operations specifically along the southwest border. The Black Hawk has been used by OAM to interdict illegal entry into the U.S. Additionally, OAM regularly uses the UH-60 in search and rescue operations. Highly modified H-60s were employed during the U.S. Special Operations mission that resulted in the death of Osama bin Laden during Operation Neptune Spear on 1 May 2011.<ref name=Army_Times_stealth_Black_Hawk/><ref>Page, Lewis. "Sikorsky, US Army claim whisper-flapcopter test success." Template:Webarchive The Register, 5 May 2011.</ref> One such MH-60 helicopter crash-landed during the operation and was destroyed by the team before it departed in the other MH-60 and a backup MH-47 Chinook with bin Laden's remains. Two MH-47s were used for the mission to refuel the two MH-60s and as backups.<ref>"Political punch: Obama gives order, Bin Laden is killed; White House time line." Template:Webarchive ABC News, May 2011.</ref> News media reported that the Pakistani government granted the Chinese military access to the wreckage of the crashed 'stealth' UH-60 variant in Abbottabad;<ref name=BBCStealthWreckage>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name=CNNStealthWreckage>"Reports: Pakistan let Chinese inspect U.S. stealth copter." Template:Webarchive CNN, 15 August 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.</ref><ref name=FoxStealthWreckage>"Report: Pakistan Granted China Access to U.S.'s Top-Secret Bin Laden Raid Chopper." Template:Webarchive Fox News Channel, 15 August 2011. Retrieved 15 August 2011.</ref> Pakistan and China denied the reports,<ref name="BBCStealthWreckage"/><ref name="CNNStealthWreckage"/> and the U.S. government did not confirm Chinese access.<ref name="CNNStealthWreckage"/>

The U.S. Army has signaled its intent to eventually replace the UH-60, launching the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program in 2019, with a new helicopter planned to enter service by 2030.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Bell and a joint Sikorsky-Boeing team both entered competing designs. In December 2022 it was announced that the winning design was Bell’s tilt-rotor V-280 Valor,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with the US Army awarding an initial contract to develop a prototype by 2025.<ref name="defenseone5dec22">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This award does not guarantee the eventual adoption of the V-280, which would require further contracts.<ref name="defenseone5dec22" /> As an Army program, the outcome of FLRAA will not necessarily affect UH-60 variants in service with other branches of the U.S. military.

Additional usersEdit

The United Arab Emirates requested 14 UH-60M helicopters and associated equipment in September 2008, through Foreign Military Sale.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> It had received 20 UH-60Ls by November 2010.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Bahrain ordered nine UH-60Ms in 2007.<ref name="SAR2011">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:Royal Brunei Air Force Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk.jpg
Sikorsky S-70i of the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF / TUDB).

In December 2011, the Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF / TUDB) ordered twelve S-70i helicopters, which are similar to the UH-60M; four aircraft had been received by December 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In June 2012, the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress that Qatar requested the purchase of twelve UH-60Ms, engines, and associated equipment.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Royal Brunei Air Force had earlier bought four UH-60, but these were later sold to Malaysia.<ref name=RMAF-RBAirF>Template:Cite journal</ref>

In May 2014, Croatian Defence Minister Ante Kotromanović announced the beginning of negotiations for the purchase of 15 used Black Hawks.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In October 2018, the US via Ambassador Robert Kohorst announced donation of two UH-60M helicopters with associated equipment and crew training to Croatia's Ministry of Defence, to be delivered in 2020.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In October 2019, the US State Dept approved the sale of two new UH-60M Blackhawks.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In February 2022, the first two helicopters were delivered to Croatia.<ref name="lead pair UH-60M delivery CroatiaAF">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="US embassy Zagreb">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In January 2024, the State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale to Croatia for 8 UH-60M helicopters and related equipment and services for an estimated cost of $500 million.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The U.S. government has provided $139.4 million in financial assistance for 51 percent of the funding, as a compensation for the Croatian donation of 14 Mi-8 helicopters to Ukraine. The remaining sum is be provided by Croatia's Ministry of Defence in the three-year budget period from 2025 to 2027. The Letter of Offer and Acceptance was signed in March 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Delivery of all 8 Black Hawks is expected in 2028.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Tunisia requested 12 armed UH-60M helicopters in July 2014 through Foreign Military Sale.<ref>"Tunisia – UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters" Template:Webarchive. DSCA, 24 July 2014.</ref> In August 2014, the U.S. ambassador stated that the U.S. "will soon make available" the UH-60Ms to Tunisia.<ref>[2] Template:Webarchive tap.info.tn</ref> The sale of 8 helicopters was approved and helicopters were delivered 2017 and 2018.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In January 2015, the Malaysian Defence Minister Hishammuddin Hussein confirmed that Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) is receiving S-70A Blackhawks from the Brunei government. These helicopters, believed to be four in total, were expected to be transferred to Malaysia by September with M134D miniguns added. The four Blackhawks were delivered to Royal Brunei Air Force (RBAirF / TUDB) in 1999.<ref name=RMAF-RBAirF/>

In 2018, Latvia requested to buy four UH-60M Black Hawks with associated equipment for an estimated cost of $200 million (~$Template:Format price in Template:Inflation/year). In August 2018, the State Department approved the possible Foreign Military Sale. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the possible sale.<ref>[3] Template:Webarchive. DSCA</ref> In November 2018, Latvia ordered four UH-60Ms, and received the first two in December 2022.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2019, Lithuania announced plans to buy six UH-60M helicopters<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> before ordering four UH-60Ms in 2020.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In July 2020, the US State Department approved the possible Foreign Military Sale of six UH-60Ms and associated equipment to Lithuania for $380 million.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In November 2020, Lithuania signed a contract worth $213 million for four UH-60Ms with an option to purchase two more aircraft.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Preparations are almost complete including facilities and training, with deliveries expected in late 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In 2019, Poland ordered four S-70i helicopters for its special forces.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> As of 2023 there is negotiations to purchase additional S-70i helicopters.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In August 2023, the Portuguese Air Force shared a photo on twitter of the first flight of one of the six UH-60s purchased from Arista Aviation Services.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Portuguese armed forces conducted its first operation flight of its UH-60 in December 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

In December 2023, the Hellenic Army selected the UH-60Ms for a possible order of 35 aircraft and associated equipment for an estimated cost of $1.95 billion pending the deal clears Congress.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> This order was approved by US and Greek governments, and a contract for 35 helicopters agreed by April 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name=":0">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead link</ref> In Greek service it will replace aged Bell UH-1H and Agusta-Bell AB205.<ref name=":0" /> Greece already operates S-70B and MH-60R helicopters.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Future and potential usersEdit

In February 2013, the Indonesian Army announced its interest in buying UH-60 Black Hawks to modernize its weaponry. The army wants them for combating terrorism, transnational crime, and insurgency to secure the archipelago.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> In August 2023, Indonesian Aerospace and Lockheed Martin signed an agreement for the procurement of 24 UH-60/S-70 Blackhawks.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2022, the Royal Air Force and British Army expects to select a helicopter for the New Medium Helicopter program to replace several existing helicopters. Sikorsky has indicated it expects its S-70M to meet the requirement to participate in this procurement selection program.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

VariantsEdit

Template:See also

File:Washington National Guard (20654060100).jpg
U.S. National Guard UH-60 supporting operations against the Cougar Creek wildfire, 2015

The UH-60 comes in many variants and modifications. The U.S. Army variants can be fitted with stub wings to carry additional fuel tanks or weapons.<ref name="Bishop_UH-60"/> Variants may have different capabilities and equipment to fulfill different roles.

Utility variantsEdit

File:892 United States - US Army Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk (5644290375).jpg
US Army UH-60L Black Hawk
  • UH-60L Black Hawk: UH-60A with upgraded T700-GE-701C engines, improved durability gearbox, and updated flight control system.<ref name="Bishop_UH-60"/> Produced 1989–2007.<ref name="Leoni_p217">Leoni 2007, pp. 217–224.</ref> UH-60Ls are also being equipped with the GE T700-GE-701D engine.<ref name=JAU_S-70_Upgrades/> The U.S. Army Corpus Christi Army Depot is upgrading UH-60A helicopters to the UH-60L configuration. In July 2018, Sierra Nevada Corporation proposed upgrading some converted UH-60L helicopters for the U.S. Air Force's UH-1N replacement program.<ref>Template:Cite press release</ref>
  • UH-60M Black Hawk: Improved design wide chord rotor blades, T700-GE-701D engines (max Template:Convert each), improved durability gearbox, Integrated Vehicle Health Management System (IVHMS) computer, and new glass cockpit. Production began in 2006.<ref name="Leoni_p233">Leoni 2007, pp. 233–44.</ref> Planned to replace older U.S. Army UH-60s.<ref>"Sikorsky Aircraft Fully Equips First U.S. Army Unit With UH-60M BLACK HAWK Helicopters." Template:Webarchive Sikorsky Aircraft, 10 June 2008.</ref>
  • UH-60M Upgrade Black Hawk: UH-60M with fly-by-wire system and Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit suite. Flight testing began in August 2008.<ref>"Sikorsky's UH-60M Upgrade Black Hawk Helicopter Achieves First Flight." Template:Webarchive Sikorsky, 29 August 2008.</ref>
  • UH-60V Black Hawk: Upgraded version of the UH-60L with the electronic displays (glass cockpit) of the UH-60M. Upgrades performed by Northrop Grumman featuring a centralized processor with a partitioned, modular operational flight program enabling capabilities to be added as software-only modifications.<ref>Template:Citation.</ref>

Special purposeEdit

Template:Multiple image

  • EH-60A Black Hawk: UH-60A with modified electrical system and stations for two electronic systems mission operators. All examples of type have been converted back to standard UH-60A configuration.<ref name="dod"/>
  • YEH-60B Black Hawk: UH-60A modified for special radar and avionics installations, prototype for stand-off target acquisition system.<ref name="dod"/>
  • EH-60C Black Hawk: UH-60A modified with special electronics equipment and external antenna.<ref name= "dod"/> (All examples of type have been taken back to standard UH-60A configuration.)
  • EUH-60L (no official name assigned): UH-60L modified with additional mission electronic equipment for Army Airborne C2.<ref name="dod"/>
  • EH-60L Black Hawk: EH-60A with major mission equipment upgrade.<ref name="dod"/>
  • UH-60Q Black Hawk: UH-60A modified for medical evacuation.<ref name="dod"/><ref name=Modern_Medevac/> The UH-60Q is named "Dust off", echoing the callsign used for U.S. Army Aviation casualty evacuation flying since Vietnam. There has also been a backronym created, DUSTOFF for "dedicated unhesitating service to our fighting forces".<ref name= "Leoni_p224">Leoni 2007, p. 224.</ref>
  • HH-60L (no official name assigned): UH-60L extensively modified with medical mission equipment.<ref name= "dod"/> Components include an external rescue hoist, integrated patient configuration system, environmental control system, onboard oxygen system (OBOGS), and crash-worthy ambulatory seats.<ref name= Modern_Medevac>Colucci, Frank. "Modern Medevac Mobilized." Template:Webarchive Rotor & Wing, 1 October 2004.</ref>
  • HH-60M Black Hawk: UH-60M with medical mission equipment (medevac version) for U.S. Army.<ref name= "dod" /><ref>"HH-60M Medevac Helicopter." Template:Webarchive Sikorsky. Retrieved 1 August 2015.</ref>
  • HH-60U: USAF UH-60M version modified with an electro-optical sensor and rescue hoist. Three in use by Air Force pilots and special mission aviators since 2011. Has 85% commonality with the HH-60W.<ref>Template:Citation.</ref>
  • HH-60W Jolly Green II: Modified version of the UH-60M for the U.S. Air Force as a Combat Rescue Helicopter to replace HH-60G Pave Hawks with greater fuel capacity and more internal cabin space, dubbed the "60-Whiskey". Deliveries to the USAF of the HH-50W began in 2020.The 41st Rescue Squadron received the first two HH-60W helicopters on 5 November 2020.<ref>"'Whiskey' to perform personnel recovery mission" . AF, 24 November 2014.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref>

  • MH-60A Black Hawk: 30 UH-60As modified with additional avionics, night vision capable cockpit, FLIR, M134 door guns, internal auxiliary fuel tanks and other Special Operations mission equipment in early 1980s for U.S. Army.<ref name= Tomajczyk_p21-3>Tomajczyk 2003, pp. 21–23.</ref><ref name= Bishop_p20-2>Bishop 2008, pp. 20, 22.</ref> Equipped with T700-GE-701 engines.<ref name="dod"/> Variant was used by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment. The MH-60As were replaced by MH-60Ls beginning in the early 1990s and passed to Army Aviation units in the Army National Guard.<ref name=Donald_S-70/><ref name= Tomajczyk_p23>Tomajczyk 2003, p. 23.</ref>
  • MH-60L Black Hawk: Special operations modification, used by the U.S. Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment ("Night Stalkers"), based on the UH-60L with T700-701C engines. It was developed as an interim version in the late 1980s pending the fielding of the MH-60K specifically designed for the 160th SOAR(A).<ref name=Tomajczyk_p23-6>Tomajczyk 2003, pp. 23–26.</ref> Equipped with many of the systems used on MH-60K, including FLIR, color weather map, auxiliary fuel system, and laser rangefinder/designator.<ref name= Tomajczyk_p23-6 /><ref name= 160th_MH-60s>Template:Citation</ref> A total of 37 MH-60Ls were built and some 10 had received an in-flight refueling probe by 2003.<ref name= Tomajczyk_p23-6 />
  • MH-60L DAP: The Direct Action Penetrator (DAP) is a special operations modification of the baseline MH-60L, operated by the U.S. Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.<ref name="160th">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> The DAP is configured as a gunship, with no troop-carrying capacity. The DAP is equipped with ESSS or ETS stub wings, each capable of carrying configurations of the M230 Chain Gun 30 mm automatic cannon, 19-shot Hydra 70 rocket pod, AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, AIM-92 Stinger air-to-air missiles, GAU-19 gun pods, and M134 minigun pods,<ref name="DAP weapons">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> M134D miniguns are used as door guns.<ref name= Bishop_p20-2/>

File:Two UH-60M, 160th SOAR on USS Bataan on 10 Feb. 2006.jpg
UH-60Ms from the 160th SOAR(A) landing aboard the Template:USS
  • MH-60K Black Hawk: Special operations modification first ordered in 1988 for use by the U.S. Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment ("Night Stalkers").<ref name=Donald_S-70/> Equipped with the in-flight refueling probe,<ref name= Tomajczyk_p26-9>Tomajczyk 2003, pp. 26–29.</ref> and T700-GE-701C engines. More advanced than the MH-60L, the K-model also includes an integrated avionics system (glass cockpit), AN/APQ-174B terrain-following radar, color weather map, improved weapons capability, and various defensive systems. The MH-60K can be configured either as an assault helicopter carrying troops or as a DAP gunship.<ref name=Tomajczyk_p26-9 /><ref name= JHMS_S-70>"Sikorsky S-70A/H-60." Template:Dead link (online subscription article) Jane's Helicopter Markets and Systems, 31 March 2011.</ref>
File:MH-60M DAP firing 2.75 inch rockets at a test ground.jpg
160th SOAR(A)'s MH-60M DAP fires its Template:Convert rockets on a U.S. Army test range
  • MH-60M Black Hawk: Special operations version of UH-60M for U.S. Army. Equipped with in-flight refueling probe, Rockwell Collins Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) glass cockpit, updated sensors and defensive systems such as the AN/APQ-187 Silent Knight terrain-following radar, and more powerful YT706-GE-700 engines.<ref>"Sikorsky S-70 (H-60) – US Army MH-60 Upgrades" (online subscription article). Template:Dead link Jane's Aircraft Upgrades, 2008, 11 June 2008.</ref><ref>"Sikorsky S-70 (H-60) Upgrades" (online subscription article). Template:Dead link Jane's Aircraft Upgrades, 3 May 2011.</ref> All special operations Black Hawks to be modernized to MH-60M standard by 2015. Like the K-model, the MH-60M can be configured either as an assault helicopter carrying troops or as a DAP gunship.<ref>Superfast Helicopters Template:Webarchive - Defensemedianetwork.com, 25 October 2011</ref>
  • MH-60 Black Hawk stealth helicopter: Two specially modified MH-60s were used in the raid on Osama bin Laden's compound in Pakistan on 1 May 2011. One was damaged in a hard landing, and was subsequently destroyed by U.S. forces.<ref name= "nationaljournal.com">Template:Citation.</ref><ref>"Helicopter Loss in bin Laden Raid Highlights Risk." Template:Webarchive Reuters, 3 May 2011.</ref> These two are the only known examples of this modification. Reports subsequent to the raid stated that the aircraft used in the raid were examples of a rumored but previously unconfirmed modification of the UH-60 with reduced noise signature and stealth technology.<ref name= ABC_Stealth_Helicopter /><ref name= Army_Times_stealth_Black_Hawk /> The modifications are said to add several hundred pounds to the base helicopter including edge alignment panels, special coatings and anti-radar treatments for the windshields.<ref name= Army_Times_stealth_Black_Hawk />
  • UH-60A RASCAL: NASA-modified version for the Rotorcraft-Aircrew Systems Concepts Airborne Laboratory; a US$25M program for the study of helicopter maneuverability in three programs, Superaugmented Controls for Agile Maneuvering Performance (SCAMP), Automated Nap-of-the-Earth (ANOE) and Rotorcraft Agility and Pilotage Improvement Demonstration (RAPID).<ref>"NASA, Army Research More Maneouverable Helicopters." Template:Webarchive Ames Research Center, 4 April 1992.</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}.</ref> The UH-60A RASCAL performed a fully autonomous flight on 5 November 2012. U.S. Army personnel were on board, but the flying was done by helicopter. During a two-hour flight, the Black Hawk featured terrain sensing, trajectory generation, threat avoidance, and autonomous flight control. It was fitted with a 3D-LZ laser detection and ranging (LADAR) system. The autonomous flight was performed between 200 and 400 feet. Upon landing, the onboard technology was able to pinpoint a safe landing zone, hover, and safely bring itself down.<ref>"Autonomous Black Hawk Flight System Trialled". Armed forces International, 6 December 2012.</ref>

  • OPBH: On 11 March 2014, Sikorsky successfully conducted the first flight demonstration of their Optionally Piloted Black Hawk (OPBH), a milestone part of the company's Manned/Unmanned Resupply Aerial Lifter (MURAL) program to provide autonomous cargo delivery for the U.S. Army. The helicopter used the company's Matrix technology (software to improve features of autonomous, optionally-piloted VTOL aircraft) to perform autonomous hover and flight operations under the control of an operator using a man-portable Ground Control Station (GCS). The MURAL program is a cooperative effort between Sikorsky, the US Army Aviation Development Directorate (ADD), and the US Army Utility Helicopters Project Office (UH PO). The purpose of creating an optionally-manned Black Hawk is to make the aircraft autonomously carry out resupply missions and expeditionary operations while increasing sorties and maintaining crew rest requirements and leaving pilots to focus more on sensitive operations.<ref>Template:Citation.</ref><ref>Template:Citation.</ref>

VIPEdit

File:VH-60 Marine One (modified).jpg
"White Top" VH-60Ns used to transport the President of the U.S.

Template:Further

  • VH-60D Night Hawk: VIP-configured HH-60D, used for presidential transport by USMC. T700-GE-401C engines.<ref name= "dod"/> Variant was later redesignated VH-60N.<ref>Bishop 2008, p. 45.</ref>
  • VH-60N White Hawk "White Top": Modified UH-60A with some features from the SH-60B/F Seahawks.<ref name= "Leoni_p214"/> Is one of the VIP-configured USMC helicopter models that perform Presidential and VIP transport as Marine One. The VH-60N entered service in 1988 and nine helicopters were delivered.<ref name="Leoni_p214">Leoni 2007, pp. 214–15.</ref>
File:Sikorsky VH-60M 09-20197 FDK MD8.jpg
"Gold Top" VH-60M
  • VH-60M Black Hawk "Gold Top": Heavily modified UH-60M used for executive transport. Members of the Joint Chiefs, Congressional leadership, and other DoD personnel are flown on these exclusively by Alpha company, 12th Aviation Battalion at Fort Belvoir, Virginia.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Export versionsEdit

File:2014.11.20. 육군 26사단 호국훈련 UH-60P Republic of Korea Army (15815606086).jpg
South Korean UH-60P

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

    • S-70A-30 Black Hawk: Export version for Argentine Air Force, used as a VIP transport helicopter by the Presidential fleet; one built.<ref>"Argentine pic & video." Template:Webarchive helis.com. Retrieved 24 October 2012.</ref>
    • S-70A-33 Black Hawk: Export version for Royal Brunei Air Force.
    • S-70A-34 Black Hawk: VIP transport version for Malaysia, known as "Whitehawk", operated by Royal Malaysian Air Force; two built.
    • S-70A-39 Black Hawk: VIP transport version for Chile; one built.
    • S-70A-42 Black Hawk: Export version for Austria.
    • S-70A-43 Black Hawk: Export version for Royal Thai Army.
    • S-70A-50 Black Hawk: Export version for Israel; 15 built.
    • S-70C-2 Black Hawk: Export version for the People's Republic of China; 24 built.<ref name="Leoni_p286"/>
    • HM-2: Brazilian Army designation for the S-70A.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

For other Sikorsky S-70 variants, see Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk, Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk, Piasecki X-49 SpeedHawk, and Sikorsky HH-60 Jayhawk articles.

OperatorsEdit

File:Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk Users.png
Map with UH-60 operators in blue
File:Austrian Air Force S-70A42.jpg
An Austrian Air Force S-70A42 lands in Paznaun valley

See SH-60 Seahawk, HH-60 Pave Hawk, and HH-60 Jayhawk for operators of military H-60/S-70 variants; see Sikorsky S-70 for non-military operators of other H-60/S-70 family helicopters.

Template:Flag

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

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|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:AUS
  • Australian Army - 39 S-70A-9 in original orders in 1986 and 1987. Retired in 2021 with 5 lost. 40 UH-60M ordered in 2023, with 10 delivered by the end of 2024.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

{{#invoke
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|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:BHR
File:UH-60 Brazil (cropped).jpg
A UH-60 of the Brazilian Air Force
Template:BRA
File:2023 Majlis Ramah Mesra Belait 65.jpg
A S-70i of the Royal Brunei Air Force in 2023
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Template:CHL
Template:PRC

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Template:CAN
Template:COL

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="World Air Forces 2019"/> S-70i (7 as of 2013)<ref name=ColBlackhawks2013/>

File:Croatian UH-60 during the Air Show.jpg
A Croatian Air Force UH-60 during an exercise
Template:CRO

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:EGY
Template:GRE
  • Hellenic Army - 35 UH-60Ms ordered in 2024<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:IDN
  • Indonesian Army - 22 S-70M Black Hawks on order as of 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:UH-60.jpg
An Israeli Air Force UH-60 Yanshuf
Template:ISR
File:JASDF UH-60J (cropped).jpg
A Japan Air Self-Defence Force UH-60J in flight
Template:JPN
File:Jordanian Air Force UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter (cropped).jpg
A Royal Jordanian Air Force UH-60L on lift off
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|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:LAT
  • Latvian Air Force - UH-60M (2 received, another 2 on order)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

{{#invoke
flag||Lithuania}}
  • Lithuanian Air Force - UH-60M (4 on order; deliveries to begin in late 2024.)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:MAS
  • Malaysian Army - UH-60A+ (4 on lease, deliveries to begin in 2023)<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> This lease was canceled in November 2024 due to budget issues.Template:Cn

Template:MEX
Template:MAR

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:2023-10-26 PAF Black Hawk 002.jpg
Philippine Air Force UH-60 responds to landslide and possible SAR, 2023
Template:PHI
  • Philippine Air Force S-70i (21)<ref name="PhAF S70i batch3 delivery PNA"/> (27 on order)<ref name="PhAF 32 S70i orders"/><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref>

{{#invoke
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|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> (4 on order)<ref name="PSF batch2 buy of 4 S70i"/>

{{#invoke
flag||Portugal}}

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Two received as of 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

Template:SAU
Template:ROK
{{#invoke
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{{#invoke
flag||Sweden}}
File:ROCA UH-60M Black Hawk.jpg
A Republic of China Army UH-60M Black Hawk
Template:TWN-ROC
Template:THA
  • Royal Thai Army<ref name="World Air Forces 2019"/> UH-60L;<ref name="DID thai">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> UH-60M<ref name="DID thai"/>

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|CitationClass=web }}</ref> First unit delivered in January 2023.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

  • Turkish Land Forces<ref name="World Air Forces 2019"/>- 22+ T-70 ordered. First delivered<ref name=":1">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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|CitationClass=web }}</ref> (see Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk)<ref name=":1" />

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> - 14 T-70s ordered with 3 delivered.<ref name=":1" /><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

|CitationClass=web }}</ref> - 20 T-70s ordered<ref name=":1" />

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|CitationClass=web }}</ref> One more UH-60A+ was crowdfunded for GUR by Czech supporters under the "Gift for Putin" (Dárek pro-Putina) initiative and will be delivered in 2025.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:A UH-60 Blackhawk from the 7th Battalion, 1ST Aviation Regiment, 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Katterbach, Germany drops US Army scouts from the 2nd Battalion, 15th Infantry, - DPLA - 56e4b3c74530c9ac97330493a0fb697a.jpeg
A US Army UH-60 Blackhawk with United Nations designations during the Bosnian War.
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|CitationClass=web }}</ref> The service operates 19 HH-60Ls, 346 HH-60Ms (medevac), 20 UH-60As (estimated), 800 UH-60Ls, 931 UH-60Ms, and 90 UH-60Vs as of January 2025.<ref name="Military Balance 2025">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp

Former operatorsEdit

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AccidentsEdit

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  • From 1981 to 1987, five Black Hawks crashed (killing or injuring all on board) while flying near radio broadcast towers because their electromagnetic emissions disrupted the helicopters' flight control systems. The Black Hawk helicopters were not hardened against high-intensity radiated fields, contrary to the SH-60 Seahawk Navy version. The pilots were instructed to fly away from emitters, and, in the long term, shielding was increased and backup systems were installed.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • On 12 February 2001, two Black Hawks from Schofield Barracks, Hawaii collided during NVG formation flight training, causing loss of both aircraft, six deaths and 11 injured soldiers.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • On 12 February 2004, one Australian Army Black Hawk collided into terrain in the vicinity of Mount Walker, Queensland following contact between the tail rotor and a tree. The airframe was written off however there were no deaths - six out of the eight occupants received injuries.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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Aftermath of a crashed UH-60 in 2004, at Tallil Airbase, Iraq
  • On 26 September 2004, a U.S. Army Black Hawk crashed taking off from Tallil Airbase (Nasiriyah Airport), Iraq. The crew of four was rescued.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • On 29 November 2006, one Australian Army Black Hawk crashed into and subsequently slid off the deck of HMAS Kanimbla sinking into deep waters off the coast of Fiji while conducting a training flight. The sinking resulted in the deaths of two soldiers - one pilot from the 5th Aviation Regiment, and one trooper from the SASR.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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  • On 22 February 2022, two Utah National Guard Black Hawk helicopters crashed at the Snowbird, Utah ski resort during a training exercise. One Black Hawk was overcome by whiteout conditions caused by the downdraft in the snow, and crashed, causing parts of the rotor blades to strike the other helicopter, forcing a hard landing. There were no major injuries to the crew or skiers.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • On July 16, 2022, one Mexican Navy Black Hawk crashed at Sinaloa, killing 14 marines on board.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
  • In September 2022, a Black Hawk operated by the Taliban crashed during a training exercise in Kabul, killing three.<ref name="Reuters 2022 w588">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

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  • On 29 March 2023, two US Army Black Hawk medical helicopters crashed during a training mission over Kentucky. All nine soldiers aboard were killed. The cause of the crash is under investigation.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation

|CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>

File:Coast Guard, multiple partner agencies, responding to plane crash in Potomac River (8847920).jpg
Aftermath of UH-60L 00-26860 involved in the collision, crashed in the Potomac River, Washington, D.C. in 2025.

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Specifications (UH-60M)Edit

File:UH-60 orthographical image.svg
UH-60 3-view diagram
File:Hawks on Approach 160621-A-PG801-002.jpg
UH-60 fly in formation on training mission in Washington State in 2016
File:USMC-06991.jpg
CH-53E Super Stallion lifts a disabled UH-60

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See alsoEdit

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ReferencesEdit

NotesEdit

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CitationsEdit

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BibliographyEdit

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  • Bishop, Chris. Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk. Oxford, UK: Osprey, 2008. Template:ISBN.
  • Leoni, Ray D. Black Hawk, The Story of a World Class Helicopter. Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2007. Template:ISBN.
  • Tomajczyk, Stephen F. Black Hawk. St. Paul, Minnesota: MBI, 2003. Template:ISBN.

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External linksEdit

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