Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk Medium Lift Transport Helicopter (1979)
The Black Hawk helicopter is the workhorse of many-an-army on todays battlefield.
The Black Hawk was born out of the Sikorsky S-70 project designed to the United States Army's Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) specification that began in the latter part of the 1960's. The specification itself originated on the data collected from wartime use of the UH-1 "Huey" Iroquois helicopters pulling multiple duties across the war zone. Review of this experience brought about a need for capable replacement system for the immediate future. This design specification also coincided with development of the new General Electric turboshaft engine series designated as the T700. US Army feelers went out in 1972 with both Sikorsky and Boeing-Vertol both answering the call. The Sikorsky design was chosen ahead of the Boeing-Vertol YUH-61A attempt and the Sikorsky YUH-60A prototype achieved first flight on November 29th, 1974. The production contract was handed to Sikorsky in late 1976 with first deliveries of the Black Hawk system beginning on an October day two years later. The Black Hawk was officially introduced into service in the middle of 1979 with the US Army 101st Airborne Division, replacing the venerable UH-1 Hueys.
Black Hawks have a distinct look about them making them highly recognizable even when compared to her contemporaries. The forward portion of the fuselage contains seating positions for the pilot and co-pilot (collectively known as the flight crew) with windowed panels above, forward-below and to the sides. Each crew position is afforded an entry-exit door. Directly behind the cockpit is the cabin that allows for seating of some 11 personnel (depending on the version) with entry/exit made by two double-windowed sliding doors. The General Electric series turboshaft engines sit atop either side of the middle-fuselage with the four-blade main rotor extending up between them. The empennage is of conventional design and layout, featuring a four-blade tail rotor positioned to the starboard side, single vertical fin structure and horizontal plane. The undercarriage is fixed and features to main landing gears forward (complete with wire cutters ahead of each component) and a single tail wheel fitted under the fuselage area between the cabin and extreme edge of the tail.
Performance from the twin turboshaft engines provide for a top approximate speed of 183 miles per hour with a "never exceed" speed of up to 222 miles per hour. Cruise speeds are typically 173 miles per hour. A combat radius of 368 miles is possible with a ferry range of 1,380 miles. The service ceiling is reported at 19,000 feet with a 700 feet-per-minute rate-of-climb. Cargo hauling capacity is 2,640lbs of freight held internally. An 8,000lb freight limit is imposed for external hauling.
As expected, the Black Hawk helicopter can accomplish just about any battlefield-related task it is assigned. This includes its standard role as a troop-carrying implement but can also be expanded to include cargo/artillery transport, offensive assault, Special Operations insertion/extraction along with Search & Rescue and MedEvac. Several Black Hawks have been modified for VIP transport roles for the US government and take on the call sign of "Marine One" when specifically transporting the President of the United States.
Variants range from utility based to specialty models. The original US Army production Balck Hawk became the UH-60A while the UH-60L appeared with upgraded T700-GE-701C engines and other updates. The UH-60M appeared with further improvements and replaced original production Black Hawks. MedEvac versions included the UH-60Q while Special Operations Forces were given the specialized and armed MH-60K and MH-60L models. VIP models in US service were the VH-60D "Nighthawk" and VH-60N "Whitehawk" variants.
Sikorsky S-70 is the company designation for the series. UH-60 "Black Hawk" is generally the US Army designation while HH-60 "Pave Hawk" is the United States Air Force designation. The US Coast Guard uses the helicopter in its specially developed HH-60 "Jayhawk" guise. The United States Navy operates the SH-60 "Seahawk". Many export versions of the Black Hawk have surfaced as well with most under the base S-70 designation (see variants list for complete details).
When armed, the Black Hawk can take on firepower in the form of 30mm chain guns, machine gun pods, heavy caliber and general purpose machine guns and miniguns. Additionally, optional wing stubs can provide for the use of external fuel tanks (coming in two sizes - see armaments suite for specifics) for increased operational ranges or Hellfire anti-tank missiles and 2.75" rocket pods for increased lethality.
The UH-60 Black Hawk made its US combat debut in the 1983 Invasion of Grenada and later in the 1989 Invasion of Panama. The Black Hawk was put to good use in the 1991 coalition offensive of the 1991 Persian Gulf War to remove Saddam Hussein's invasion force from Kuwaiti soil. Perhaps the Black Hawks involvement in the assault on the capital city of Mogadishi in Somalia is what most observers will forever remember in regards to the helicopter's history. In the assault, two Black Hawk helicopters were shot down by enemy rocket-propelled grenades, leading to the horrifically televised display of the loss of American lives (18 in all, including one captured and 73 wounded), effectively signaling the beginning of the end of US involvement in that country. At the turn of the century, 9/11 forced direct American involvement in Afghanistan and - later - Iraq, extending the, yet, unwritten history of the Black Hawk helicopter into tomorrow.
The UH-60M represents the current Black Hawk production model. Operators of the Black Hawk range from the Pacific Rim to South America, the Middle East to Europe. Some of the largest operators include the United States, Columbia, South Korea, Turkey and Australia.
The UH-60 Black Hawk, in all its varied forms, should continue to see active service at least through 2020.
A "stealthified" version of the UH-60 Black Hawk is said to have been used in the successful May 2011 assault on Osama Bin Laden's compound in Pakistan by forces of the United States Navy SEALs. The helicopter is said to be outfitted with a myriad of high-level technology that diminishes the aircraft's radar signature and noise levels, the former through a special fabric coating or "skin" and the latter by way of a dish-shaped installation over the tail rotor bub and (possibly) engine housings. These Black Hawks managed to remain undetected during the entire operation though one was lost to a malfunction and blown up while on the ground prior to mission's end. The operation resulted in the death of the 9/11 mastermind. However, remnants of the exploded helicopter were then picked up by the Pakistani government and hauled away to an unknown location. Of note is that the Chinese government maintains a close working relationship with the Pakistani government and may be in the market for such technology to further their own stealth programs. Text ©2003-2013 www.MilitaryFactory.com • All Rights Reserved • No Reproduction Permitted
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Specifications for the
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk
Medium Lift Transport Helicopter
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: General Electric / United Technologies - USA
Initial Year of Service: 1979
Production: 2,625
Focus Model: Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk
Crew: 2
Length: 50.07ft (15.26m)
Width: 53.67ft (16.36m)
Height: 12.34ft (3.76m)
Weight (Empty): 11,517lbs (5,224kg)
Weight (MTOW): 24,500lbs (11,113kg)
Powerplant: 2 x 1,800shp intermediate-rated General Electric T700-GE-701C turboshaft engines driving a four-blade main rotor and four-blade tail rotor.
Maximum Speed: 183mph (294kmh; 159kts)
Maximum Range: 363miles (584km)
Service Ceiling: 18,996ft (5,790m; 3.6miles)
Rate-of-Climb: 1,550 feet per minute (472m/min)
Hardpoints: 4 (optional attachment)
Armament Suite:
2 x 7.62mm Machine Guns on side-cabin pintle mounts
OPTIONAL: External Stores Support System (ESSS) offering up four hardpoints.
16 x Hellfire anti-tank missiles
2 x External 230 gallon fuel tanks
2 x External 450 gallon fuel tanks
Mine Dispersal Systems
2 x GAU-19 12.7mm Gatling Guns
2 x M240H 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMG)
SPECIAL OPERATIONS BLACKHAWK (MH-60L DAP):
2 x M134D Gatling Guns (fixed forward or door guns)
2.75" rocket pods
30mm chain gun
Variants:
YUH-60A - Prototype Model Designation
UH-60 - Main Model Series Designation
UH-60A - Base US Army Model Designation; fitted with General Electric T700-GE-700 engines.
UH-60A RASCAL - Rotorcraft-Aircrew Systems Concepts Airborne Laboratory for use by NASA.
UH-60C - Command and Control Variant
UH-60E - Proposed Troop Transport Variant for USMC
UH-60J (S-70-12) - Export model for Japanese Air/Maritime Self Defense Forces; produced under license by Mitsubishi.
UH-60JA - Export model for Japanese Ground Self Defense Force; produced under license by Mitsubishi.
UH-60L - Improved UH-60A featuring T700-GE-701C engines, revised gearbox and flight control system.
UH-60M - Standardized version featuring new avionics systems, improved composite main rotor with wider chord, improved gearbox, revised cockpit instrumentation with IVHMS computer and reinforced fuselage.
UH-60P - Export model for South Korea based on UH-60L.
UH-60Q "Dustoff" - MedEvac model; becoming the HH-60A.
EH-60A - ECM Jammer configuration; since brought back to UH-60A standard.
YEH-60B - Prototype Model fitted with specialized radar systems and avionics.
EH-60C - Specialized Equipment and Antenna; since reverted back to UH-60A standard.
EUH-60L - Fitted with specialized equipment for Army Airborne Command and Control.
EH-60L - Upgraded EH-60A model.
HH-60G - Combat Rescue model
HH-60L - Modified UH-60L model for MedEvac
HH-60M - UH-60M model modified for MedEvac role.
MH-60A - FLIR-equipped for special mission use; updated avionics and navigation system; air-to-air refueling capability; fitted with General Electric T700-GE-701 series engines.
MH-60K - Special Operations Black Hawk for 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment; fitted with in-flight refueling probe; terrain-following radar.
MH-60L "Direct Action Penetrator" - Special Operations Blackhawk for 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment; fitted with 30mm chain gun, 2.75" rocket pods and M134D Gatling guns (door mounted or fixed forward).
MH-60R - Converted SH-60B model
MH-60S - United States Navy development; combat SAR duty; formerly designated as CH-60; fusion of SH-60 automatic flight control system and folding airframe elements for carrier storage and the base UH-60 airframe.
HH-60 "Pave Hawk" - USAF model series designation.
SH-60 "Seahawk" - USN model series designation.
VH-60D "Nighthawk" - USMC VIP HH-60D models for use as Presidential transport; fitted with T700-GE-401C engines.
VH-60N "Whitehawk" - USMC VIP UH-60A model for use as Presidential transport; nine examples produced.
AH-60L "Arpia III" - Export model for use by Columbia; fitted with FLIR, revised electronics and radar; provision for rockets and machine guns; developed to Columbian Air Force specifications.
AH-60L "Battle Hawk" - Proposed Export Model for use by Australian Army; never produced.
S-70A - Sikorsky Military Export Model Series Designation
S-70A-1 "Desert Hawk" - Export model for Saudi Arabian Army
S-70A-L1 "Desert Hawk" - Export MedEvac model for Saudi Arabian Army
S-70-5 - Philippine Air Force Export Model
S-70A-9 - Australian Army Export Model
S-70-11 - Jordanian Air Force Export Model
S-70-12 - Japanese Air/Maritime Self Defense Forces Search and Rescue (SAR) Export Model.
S-70-14 - Brunei Export Model
S-70-16 - Developmental Test Model for Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RTM 332 series engines.
S-70-17 - Turkish Export Model
S-70-19 (WS-70) - Westland license-production Black Hawk built in UK.
S-70-21 - Egyptian Export Model
S-70-24 - Mexican Export Model
S-70-26 - Moroccan Export Model
S-70-27 - Hong Kong Export Model
S-70A-42 - Austrian Export Model
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