UH/HH-60 BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER

By U.S. ArmyNovember 4, 2014

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MISSION

Provides air assault, general support, aeromedical evacuation, command and control, and special operations support to combat, stability, and support operations.

DESCRIPTION

The Black Hawk (UH-60) is the Army's utility tactical transport helicopter. The versatile Black Hawk has enhanced the overall mobility of the Army due to dramatic improvements in troop capacity and cargo lift capability.

There are multiple versions of the UH-60 Black Hawk: the original UH-60A, the UH-60L, which has greater gross weight capability, higher cruise speed, rate of climb, and external load; and the UH-60M, which includes the improved GE-701D engine and provides greater cruising speed, rate of climb, and internal load than the UH-60A and L versions. This year the Army approved the development of the UH-60V. This new mission design series will recapitalize the UH-60L fleet with digital displays during recapitalization or modification.

There are also dedicated Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) versions of the UH-60 Black Hawk, HH-60L, and HH-60M each include an integrated MEDEVAC Mission Equipment Package (MEP) kit, providing day/night and adverse weather emergency evacuation of casualties.

On the asymmetric battlefield, the Black Hawk enables the commander to get to the fight quicker and to mass effects throughout the battlespace across the full spectrum of conflict. A single Black Hawk can transport an entire 11-person, fully equipped infantry squad faster than predecessor systems and in most weather conditions. The aircraft's critical components and systems are armored or redundant, and its airframe is designed to crush progressively on impact, thus protecting crew and passengers. The UH-60M is a digital networked platform with greater range and lift to support maneuver Commanders through air assault, general support command and control, and aeromedical evacuation. Black Hawks continue to be deployed in combat rotations.

SYSTEM INTERDEPENDENCIES

Blue Force Tracker (BFT)

PROGRAM STATUS

• Current: Production and fielding of UH-60M and HH-60M aircraft

• FY15: Multi-Year/Multi-Service VIII contract execution

• FY15: Request for Proposal to support Preliminary Design Review for Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP)

PROJECTED ACTIVITIES

• Continue: Production and fielding of UH-60M and HH-60M aircraft

• FY18: Milestone B for ITEP

FOREIGN MILITARY SALES

UH-60M:

Bahrain, Jordan, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Thailand, Sweden

UH-60L:

Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Thailand

CONTRACTORS

UH-60M:

Sikorsky (Stratford, CT)

701D Engine:

General Electric (Lynn, MA)

Multi-Function Displays:

Rockwell Collins (Cedar Rapids, IA)

Flight Controls:

Hamilton Sundstrand (Windsor Locks, CT)