Sikorsky (Lockheed) Armed Black Hawk

Helicopter Upgrade Package

United States | 2017

"The Sikorsky Armed Black Hawk package exponentially increases the over-battlefield capabilities of the veteran helicopter line."

Image from official Lockheed Martin marketing materials.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 07/11/2022 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

The Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin) "Armed Black Hawk" (ABH) is an Advanced Weapon System (AWS) add-on kit to the ubiquitous UH-60 "Black Hawk" multi-mission helicopter line. The package adds a dedicated attack functionality to the traditionally transport-minded, medium-lift, twin-engined helicopter while also enhancing over-battlefield survivability through proven technological and engineering measures. The core assets of the helicopter remain largely untouched while the tactical-level value of the product is increased.

The add-on package was qualified by the United States military during 2017. According to Lockheed Martin marketing materials, the modification serves only 3rd Generation Black Hawk helicopters and above.

With the AWS in place, the helicopter is given search, tracking, and engagement capabilities akin to a dedicated attack helicopter / gunship. This "all-in-one" solution can engage stationary as well as moving targets from the air, at-range, through ballistics, rocket, and missile fire depending on load out. As expected, the cockpit is an all-digital workstation complete with glass mission screens and software intended to reduce pilot workload. At the "chin" position of the aircraft is fitted an optics set (Electro-Optical / InfraRed) in a trainable "blister" unit for all-weather, day-night operation complete with laser-range-finder and target designator.

The helicopter carries its typical operating crew of two in side-by-side seating as well as a pair of door gunners and up to eleven combat-ready troops. Pilots are each given control over the four weapon stations through helmet-mounted components: ballistics being calculated in real-time and delivered to the pilot's optics set for more accurized firing "on-the-move".

The helicopter's physical form receives a slight face-lift as well: engine intakes are covered over in signature-reducing shrouds and wing stubs are affixed for the carrying of various ordnance options. Each wing stub has two hardpoint positions and can accept miniguns, rockets, and missile racks. There are side-mountings on the helicopter for the door gunners and these systems can be fixed to fire forward and controlled by the pilots.

In this advanced form, the Black Hawk can be used to more directly support Special Operations forces as well as traditional Army ground elements. Beyond its inherent enemy troop suppression capabilities, the ABH can also defeat enemy armor by carrying up to sixteen of the proven AGM-114 "Hellfire" Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM) armor-defeating missiles. Beyond this obvious direct-contact ability, the helicopter is flexible enough to undertake armed reconnaissance / surveillance, maritime enforcement, and convoy support sorties. Furthermore, weapons and passenger seating can be stripped from the airframe to return the fuselage to its cargo-carrying roots and the external sling capability is retained for further enhanced hauling endeavors.

Supported weapon systems include 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) (side-mounted, crew-served or pilot controlled), 0.50 GAU-19 caliber miniguns (fixed, forward-firing), 7- and 19-shot 70mm "Hydra" rocket pods, and ATGMs.

The only listed foreign customer of the AWS to date (2022) is the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Sikorsky ABH Helicopter Upgrade Package.

2 x General Electric T700 turboshaft engines developing 2,00 horsepower each driving four-bladed main rotor and 2 x Twin-bladed tail rotors.
Propulsion

186 mph
300 kph | 162 kts
Max Speed

12,139 ft
3,700 m | 2 miles
Service Ceiling

528 miles
850 km | 459 nm
Operational Range

1,700 ft/min
518 m/min
Rate-of-Climb

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Sikorsky ABH Helicopter Upgrade Package.

4
(MANNED)
Crew

64.6 ft
19.70 m
O/A Length

53.6 ft
(16.35 m)
O/A Width

17.2 ft
(5.25 m)
O/A Height

16,535 lb
(7,500 kg)
Empty Weight

25,353 lb
(11,500 kg)
MTOW

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Sikorsky (Lockheed) Armed Black Hawk Helicopter Upgrade Package provided across 4 hardpoints.

Four underwing hardpoints supporting 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns / miniguns, 70mm "Hydra" guided/unguided rockets, and AGM-114 "Hellfire" Anti-Tank, Guided-Missiles (ATGMs).

2 x 7.62mm General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs) at door mountings.

X

Hardpoints Key:

Centerline

Wingroot(L)

Wingroot(R)

Wing

Wingtip

Internal

Not Used

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Sikorsky (Lockheed) Armed Black Hawk family line.

Armed Black Hawk - Base Upgrade Package Name.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Sikorsky (Lockheed) Armed Black Hawk. Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 500 Units
Contractor(s): Sikorsky / Lockheed Martin - USA

National flag of the United Arab Emirates

[ United Arab Emirates (UAE); United States ]

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Image of the Sikorsky (Lockheed) Armed Black Hawk

Image from official Lockheed Martin marketing materials.

Going Further...
The Sikorsky (Lockheed) Armed Black Hawk Helicopter Upgrade Package appears in the following collections:

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