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Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk

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For other uses of Blackhawk/Black Hawk, see Black Hawk.
This article is about the military versions of the S-70 family. For an overview of the S-70 family, and for its civilian models, see Sikorsky S-70.
UH-60 Black Hawk
UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
Role Utility helicopter
Manufacturer Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
First flight 29 November 1974
Introduction 1979
Status Active service
Primary users United States Army
Republic of Korea Army
Colombian Armed Forces
Turkish Armed Forces
Produced 1974-present
Number built 2,600+
Variants SH-60 Seahawk
HH-60 Pave Hawk
HH-60 Jayhawk
Sikorsky S-70

The UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. Sikorsky submitted the S-70 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. The UH-60A entered service with the Army in 1979, to replace the UH-1 Iroquois as the Army's tactical transport helicopter.

Development

In the late 1960s, the United States Army began forming requirements in for its Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) helicopter to replace the UH-1 Iroquois based on experience in Vietnam. The Army also initiated the development of a new turbine engine for its helicopters that would become the General Electric T700. The Army required significant performance, survivability and reliability improvements from both UTTAS aircraft and powerplant.[1] The Army released its UTTAS requests for proposals (RFP) in January 1972.[2] Four prototypes were constructed, the first (YUH-60A) flying in October 1974, and evaluated against a rival Boeing-Vertol design, the YUH-61A. Prior to 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.[3] Three of the prototypes were delivered to the Army in March 1976, and one was kept by Sikorsky for internal research. The Black Hawk was selected for production in December 1976. Deliveries of the UH-60A to the US Army began in October 1978 and the helicopter entered service in June 1979.[4]

UH-60 Black Hawks equipped with M60 machine guns near An Najaf, Iraq in May 2005.

In the late 1980s, the model was upgraded to the UH-60L (first production aircraft 89-26179) which featured more power and lift with the upgrade to the -701C model of the GE engine.

The current production model (UH-60M) will extend the service life of the UH-60 design well into the 2020s, features still more power and lift and state of the art electronic instrumentation, flight controls and aircraft navigation control.

Design

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.[5] In air assault operations it can move a squad of 11 combat troops with equipment or reposition the 105 mm M102 howitzer with thirty rounds of 105 mm ammunition, and a four-man crew in a single lift. Alternatively, it can carry 2,600 lb (1,170 kg) of cargo or sling load 9,000 lb (4,050 kg) of cargo.[6] The Black Hawk is equipped with advanced avionics and electronics for increased survivability and capability, such as the Global Positioning System.

The UH-60 can be equipped with stub wings at top of fuselage to carry fuel tanks or possibly armament. The initial stub wing system is called external stores support system (ESSS). It has two pylons on each wing to carry two 230 US gal (870 L) and two 450 US gal (1,700 L) tanks in total. The ESSS can also carry 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) of armament such as rockets, missile and gun pods. The ESSS entered service in 1986. However it was found that with four fuel tanks it would obstruct the firing field of the door guns. To alleviate the issue, the external tank system (ETS) with unswept stub wings to carry two fuel tanks was developed.[7]

The unit cost varies with the version due to the varying specifications, equipment and quantities. For example, the unit cost of the Army's UH-60L Black Hawk is $5.9 million while the unit cost of the Air Force MH-60G Pave Hawk is $10.2 million.[8]

Operational history

US Army UH-60 during the Battle of Mogadishu.

The UH-60 entered service with the US Army's 101st Airborne Division in June 1979.[9] The UH-60 saw its first combat service in the US invasion of Grenada in 1983. UH-60As also served in the invasion of Panama in 1989. UH-60A and UH-60L Black Hawks participated in the Gulf War of 1991. In 1993, Black Hawks featured prominently in the assault on Mogadishu in Somalia. Black Hawks also saw action in the Balkans and Haiti in the 1990s. UH-60s continue to serve in Afghanistan and Iraq.[7]

Variants

The UH-60 comes in many variants, and many different modifications. The U.S. Army variants can be fitted with the stub wings to carry additional fuel tanks or weapons.[7] Variants may have different capabilities and their respective equipment in order to fulfill different roles.

Utility variants

6 UH-60Ls on an Air Assault mission April 2003 in Iraq with Bravo Company "Lancers" 5th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment, 101st Airborne Division
Israel Air Force UH-60 Blackhawk "YANSHUF"
  • UH-60A Black Hawk: Original U.S. Army version, carrying a crew of four[10] and up to 11 passengers. Equipped with T700-GE-700 engines.[11] Produced 1977-1989.
  • UH-60C Black Hawk: Modified version for C2 missions.[11]
  • CH-60E: Proposed troop transport variant for the US Marine Corps.
  • UH-60L Black Hawk: UH-60A with upgraded T700-GE-701C engines, improved durability gearbox, and updated flight control system.[7] Produced 1989-2007.[12]
  • UH-60M Black Hawk: Improved design wide chord rotor blades, T700-GE-701D Engines (max 2,000 shp (1,500 kW) each), improved durability gearbox, Integrated Vehicle Management Systems (IVHMS) computer, and modern "Glass Cockpit" flight instrument suite. Production began in 2006.[13] Planned to replace older U.S. Army UH-60s.[14]
  • UH-60Q Black Hawk: UH-60A modified for medical evacuation. Aircraft since re-designated HH-60A.[11]

Special purpose

  • EH-60A Black Hawk: Modified electrical system and stations for two electronic systems mission operators. (All examples of type have been taken back to standard UH-60A configuration.)[11]
  • YEH-60B Black Hawk: UH-60A modified for special radar and avionics installations, prototype for stand-off target acquisition system.[11]
  • EH-60C Black Hawk: UH-60A modified with special electronics equipment and external antenna.[11] (All examples of type have been taken back to standard UH-60A configuration.)
  • EUH-60L (no official name assigned): Modified with additional mission electronic equipment for Army Airborne C2.[11]
  • EH-60L Black Hawk: EH-60A with major mission equipment upgrade.[11]
  • HH-60L (no official name assigned): UH-60L extensively modified with medical mission equipment.[11] Components include an external rescue hoist, integrated patient configuration system, environmental control system, on-board oxygen system (OBOGS), suction, mechanical litter-lift system, drop-down ambulatory seats, with crew-chief and flight medic positions relocated to the back of the cabin.[1]
  • UH-60A RASCAL: NASA-modified version for the Rotorcraft-Aircrew Systems Concepts Airborne Laboratory: $US25M 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).[16][17]
  • VH-60D Nighthawk: USMC variant. VIP-configured HH-60D, used for Presidential transport. T700-GE-401C engines.[11]
  • VH-60N Whitehawk: USMC variant. Modified UH-60A with some features from the SH-60B/F Seahawks.[18] Used for Presidential and VIP transport. It entered service in 1988 and nine were delivered.[18]

Export versions

  • UH-60J Black Hawk: Export variant for the Japanese Air Self Defense Force and Maritime Self Defense Force. Also known as the S-70-12. Made under license by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.[19]
  • UH-60JA Black Hawk: Export variant for the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force. Also made under license by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.[19]
  • AH-60L Arpía III: Export version for Colombia, COIN attack version with improved electronics, firing system, FLIR, radar, light rockets and machine gun, developed by the Colombian Air Force, Elbit and Sikorsky.
  • AH-60L Battle Hawk: Export version unsuccessfully tendered for Australian Army project AIR87.
  • UH-60P Black Hawk: Export version for the Republic of Korea, similar to UH-60L configuration.[11]

S-70A

Sikorsky military model for the export market:

  • S-70A-1 Desert Hawk: Export version for the Royal Saudi Land Forces.
  • S-70A-L1 Desert Hawk: Aeromedical evacuation version for the Royal Saudi Land Forces.
  • S-70-5 Black Hawk: Export version for the Philippine Air Force.
  • S-70A-9 Black Hawk: Export version for the Australian army.
  • S-70-11 Black Hawk: Export version for the Royal Jordanian Air Force.
  • S-70-12 Black Hawk: Search and rescue model for the Japanese Air Self Defense Force and Maritime Self Defense Force. Also known as the UH-60J.
  • S-70-14 Black Hawk: Export version for Brunei.
  • S-70-16 Black Hawk: Engine test bed for the Rolls-Royce/Turbomeca RTM 332.
  • S-70-17 Black Hawk: Export version for Turkey.
  • Sikorsky/Westland S-70-19 Black Hawk: This version is built under license in the United Kingdom by Westland. Also known as the WS-70.
  • S-70-21 Black Hawk: Export version for Egypt.
  • S-70-24 Black Hawk: Export version for Mexico.
  • S-70-26 Black Hawk: Export version for Morocco.
  • S-70-27 Black Hawk: Export version for Hong Kong.
  • S-70A-42 Black Hawk: Export version for Austria.

See SH-60 Seahawk, HH-60 Pave Hawk, and HH-60 Jayhawk for other Sikorsky S-70 variants.

Military operators

An Australian Army S-70A-9 Black Hawk
 Australia
 Austria
 Bahrain
 Brazil
 Colombia
 Chile
 Egypt
 Israel
 Japan
 Jordan
 South Korea
43 S-70As, and 98 UH-60Ps[20]
 Morocco
 Mexico
 Philippines
  • Presidential Air Wing (civilian version S-70)
 People's Republic of China
 Republic of China (Taiwan)
 Saudi Arabia
 Thailand
 Turkey
The Turkish military and national police received 12 UH-60A/L (S-70A-17), and 95 UH-60L (S-70A-28) Black Hawks.[25] The Turkish Army has 54 S-70As (UH-60A/L) in service as of Nov. 2008.[20] The Black Hawk is a strong contender for the Turkish General Use Helicopter Tender. The tender issued by the Turkish Undersecretariat for Defence Procurement (SSM) is for the purchase of a General Use Helicopter design (including full technology transfer and intellectual property rights). Under this tender Turkey intends to indigenously produce 109 helicopters.[26]
 United States

Former military operators

 Australia

See Sikorsky S-70 for civilian operators.

Specifications (UH-60L)

Orthographically projected diagram of the UH-60A Black Hawk.
Orthographically projected diagram of the UH-60A Black Hawk.

Data from Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes,[28] US Army Fact File,[29] Frawley[30]

General characteristics

  • Crew: 2 pilots (flight crew)
  • Capacity: 2,640 lb of cargo internally, including 14 troops or 6 stretchers, or 8,000 lb (UH-60A) or 9,000 lb (UH-60L) of cargo externally

Performance

Army manual drawing

Armament


See also

Related development

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration, and era

Related lists

References

Notes

  1. ^ Leoni 2007, pp. 8-10.
  2. ^ Leoni 2007, pp. 11, 39.
  3. ^ Leoni 2007, p. 165.
  4. ^ Eden, Paul. "Sikorsky H-60 Black Hawk/Seahawk", Encyclopedia of Modern Military Aircraft. Amber Books, 2004. ISBN 1904687849.
  5. ^ VH-60, Global Security
  6. ^ UH-60 Black Hawk Sikorsky S-70A - Multi-Mission Helicopter, Army-Technology.com.
  7. ^ a b c d Bishop, Chris. Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk. Osprey, 2008. ISBN 978-1-84176852-6.
  8. ^ H-60, Global Security
  9. ^ Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk, Vectorsite.net, 1 July 2006.
  10. ^ Black Hawk, U.S. Army Fact Files, retrieved 2008-09-13
  11. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m DoD 4120-15L, Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles, DoD, 2004.
  12. ^ Leoni 2007, pp. 217-224.
  13. ^ Leoni 2007, pp. 233-244.
  14. ^ "Sikorsky Aircraft Fully Equips First U.S. Army Unit With UH-60M BLACK HAWK Helicopters". Sikorsky Aircraft, 10 June 2008.
  15. ^ 160th's web page
  16. ^ Science Blog, NASA
  17. ^ Image of UH-60A RASCAL first flight (archived from the original on 2006-11-26)
  18. ^ a b Leoni 2007, pp. 214-215.
  19. ^ a b Mitsubishi Heavy Industries UH-60J page
  20. ^ a b c d e f g "Directory: World Air Forces", Flight International, 11-17 November 2008.
  21. ^ Leoni 2007, p. 314.
  22. ^ Leoni 2007, pp. 285-286.
  23. ^ http://www.citizen.co.za/index/article.aspx?pDesc=1,1,22&type=top&File=newsmlmmd.1b5b033a06ea12570736e0c24ba988b0.01.xml
  24. ^ Leoni 2007, pp. 306-311.
  25. ^ Leoni 2007, pp. 306-311.
  26. ^ Yerli helikoptere ilgi artıyor. Template:Tr icon (english translation)
  27. ^ Leoni 2007, pp. 250-256.
  28. ^ a b Gunston, Bill (1995). The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes. London: Aerospace Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-56619-908-5.
  29. ^ Black Hawk fact file, US Army.
  30. ^ Frawley, Gerald. The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002/2003. Aerospace Publications, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
  31. ^ "M240H 7.62mm Machine Gun (Aviation Version)" (PDF). U.S. Army PEO Soldier. Retrieved 2007-04-08. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)

Bibliography

  • Leoni, Ray D. Black Hawk, The Story of a World Class Helicopter, American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, 2007. ISBN 978-1-56347-918-2.
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