Sikorsky S-70 (Firehawk)

Special-Mission Helicopter [ 2008 ]

The Sikorsky S-70 is a specialized version of the American military UH-60L Black Hawk transport helicopter - capable of undertaking varied roles.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 01/08/2020 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

Image from official Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin marketing materials.

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The S-70 is a special-mission helicopter platform developed by Sikorsky and based on the company's S-70/UH-60 "Black Hawk" twin-engine transport airframe. The latest variant being offered is based in the S-70i manufactured under license by Sikorsky subsidiary PZL Mielec of Poland while earlier marks include the S-70A and S-70C Firehawks. The Firehawk is a specialized fire-fighting derivative while the S-70i has been outfitted to cover special operations support - showcasing the type's inherent versatility.

The fire-fighting Firehawk's design includes an external rescue hoist off the starboard side of the fuselage. Internally, it seats its two pilots side-by-side at the front and a complete fire crew of twelve in the passenger section. The hold can also carry up to two medical litters and limited staff for the MEDEVAC role. The Rockwell Collins-designed cockpit supports Night-Vision (NV) equipment, a digital automatic flight control system and is of an all-modern, all-glass design. A tactical communications system provides the operating crew with a link to ground units. A searchlight is available for low-light-level and nighttime operations. Under the fuselage is housed a 1,000 gallon water tank with a built-in retractable snirkel capable of filling said tank in under a minute. The tank a development of Aero Union of Chico, California.

Externally, the Firehawk series retains much of the form-and-function of the U.S. Army's Black Hawk transport series. It sports a twin engine side-by-side layout driving a four-bladed (wide-chord) main rotor assembly over the passenger section and a four-bladed anti-torque rotor unit at the tail (facing starboard). The undercarriage is wheeled, fixed in flight and of a tail-dragger arrangement (also designed to clear the under-belly water tank). The aircraft includes the usual window fittings to provide the best situational awareness possible for pilots and crew. The pilots enter-exit by way of hinged automobile-style doors while access to the passenger section is by way of the traditional sliding doors.

Power is from 2 x General Electric T700-701D series turboshaft engines developing 1,940 horsepower each.

The Los Angeles County Fire Department of a notable operator of the Firehawk, they relying on the earlier S-70A Firehawk variant.©MilitaryFactory.com

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September 2018 - With ongoing fires in California, United Rotorcraft will be converting a pair of former United States Army HH-60L Black Hawk helicopters to the Firehawk role for the Ventura County Fire Department. These are set to be delivered sometime in 2019.

January 2020 - The nation of Poland has received four S-70i helicopters to cover a special forces requirement. These helicopters were ordered in 2019 and have been produced in Poland under license under the PZL brand label.

Specifications

Sikorsky / United Rotorcraft - USA
Manufacturer(s)

Poland; United States
Operators

2008
Service Year

United States
National Origin

Active
Project Status

2
Crew

50
Units

SPECIAL-MISSION: MECICAL EVACUATION
Extraction of wounded combat or civilian elements by way of specialized onboard equipment and available internal volume or external carrying capability.

SPECIAL-MISSION: SEARCH & RESCUE
Ability to locate and extract personnel from areas of potential harm or peril (i.e. downed airmen in the sea).

64.8 ft
(19.75 meters)
Length

53.6 ft
(16.35 meters)
Width/Span

57.4 ft
(17.50 meters)
Height

11,795 lb
(5,350 kilograms)
Empty Weight

22,046 lb
(10,000 kilograms)
Maximum Take-Off Weight

+10,251 lb
(+4,650 kg)
Weight Difference

2 x General Electric T700-701D turboshaft engines developing 1,940 horsepower and driving a four-bladed main rotor and four-bladed tail rotor.
Propulsion

224 mph
(360 kph | 194 knots)
Max Speed

20,013 ft
(6,100 m | 4 miles)
Ceiling

289 miles
(465 km | 251 nm)
Range

2,250 ft/min
(686 m/min)
Rate-of-Climb

MACH Regime (Sonic)

Sub

Trans

Super

Hyper

HiHyper

ReEntry

♦

None. Firefighting equipment installed.

S-70 - Base Series Designation

S-70A "Firehawk" - Firefighting platform based on the UH-60L Black Hawk military transport model.

S-70C - Alternative commercial variant.

S-70i - Modernized variant with improvements throughout; based in the S-70i International Black Hawk variant produced by Sikorsky subsidiary PZL of Poland.

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Image from official Sikorsky-Lockheed Martin marketing materials.

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