BLACKHAWK

The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a multi-mission, four-bladed, twin-engine, medium-lift utility helicopter. Manufactured by Sikorsky, now a Lockheed Martin company, the Black Hawk has been a staple in military aviation since its introduction to the U.S. Army in 1979, succeeding the Bell UH-1 Iroquois.

Sikorsky developed the S-70 series helicopter to meet the U.S. Army’s Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) requirement, with the first flight occurring in 1974. The UH-60 Black Hawk series is known for its versatility, capable of tactical troop transport, electronic warfare, and aeromedical evacuation (MEDEVAC). Its design features two General Electric T700 turboshaft engines and can be equipped with External Stores Support System (ESSS) stub wings to carry additional fuel tanks or up to 10,000 lbs of armament, such as rockets and missiles.

The Black Hawk was first used in combat during the invasion of Grenada in 1983. Since then, over 5,000 units have been built and operated by armed forces around the world, including the United States Army, the Republic of Korea Armed Forces, the Japan Self-Defense Forces, and the Colombian Armed Forces. Its variants include the SH-60 Seahawk, HH-60 Pave Hawk, MH-60 Jayhawk, and the civilian S-70 model. It is deployed globally for various operations, valued for its durability and performance in diverse environments.