UH-60 Black Hawk multirole helicopter

UH-60A

Early production version for U.S. Army. First aircraft was delivered to 101st Airborne (Air Assault) Division in 1980. Specially modified versions of the Black Hawk equipped with extended-range fuel tanks operate with U.S. Customs for drug interdiction and law-enforcement operations.

UH-60L

Current production variant. First flight in March 1988. First deliveries to U.S. Army in October 1988. Fitted with higher-power T700-GE-701C engines with max continuous power of 1,590 shp...

CH-60S Knight Hawk

The first production CH-60S helicopter began its flight career at Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. in January 2000. It marked a return of U.S. Navy production at Sikorsky. U.S. Navy H-60 deliveries came to a close in 1996 with the successful fulfillment of Navy Sea Hawk requirements.

Sikorsky completed the sale of the first two CH-60s Fleet Combat Support Helicopters to the U.S. Navy in December 1999. Navy procurement objectives call for more than 200 CH-60S aircraft.

The CH-60S is an amalgam of the Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter and its Sea Hawk variant. It is a baseline Black Hawk configuration with Naval Hawk Engines, rotor system and dynamics, including the Sea Hawk 's automatic rotor blade folding system, folding tail pylon, an improved durability gearbox, rotor brake and automatic flight control computer. The CH-60S also features a glass cockpit developed to ensure commonality with the SH-60R.

The Black Hawk airframe provides the larger cabin volume and double-door feature needed for cargo and passenger transport. As with the Black Hawk , the CH-60S retains provisions for mounting the external stores support system (ESSS). This offers a wide range of weapon and fuel tank options for numerous missions, including search and rescue (SAR).

The robust CH-60S retains the Black Hawk 9,000-pound external cargo capacity and mounts a Sea Hawk rescue hoist for SAR missions. Versatility is the basic design concept of the CH-60S helicopter. Mission types include vertical replenishment (VERTREP), vertical on-board delivery (VOD), amphibious and carrier search-and-rescue (SAR) and remote site logistics missions. The Navy is expected to capitalize on CH-60S capabilities by expanding into future mission areas such as airborne mine countermeasures, combat search-and-rescue and special warfare support, utilizing a variety of mission systems. The CH-60S flight test program was supposed to be completed by 2004.

EH-60A Quick Fix

Electronic warfare/electronic intelligence (EW/ELINT) version for U.S. Army fitted with:

• AN/ALQ-151(V)2 Quick Fix IIB intercept and direction-finding mission equipment;
• AN/TLQ-17A communications jammer; and
• and an airborne self-protection suite, including:
  • AN/ALQ-136(V)2 pulsed radar jammer;
  • AN/ALQ-162(V)2 continuous wave jammer;
  • AN/ALQ-144 IR jammer;
  • AN/ALQ-156(V)2 missile plume detector;
  • AN/APR-39(V)2 radar warning receiver; and
  • CM-130 chaff/flare dispensers.

Between 1988 and 1990, 66 systems were delivered. Formerly designated EH-60A. Block I upgrade fielded in 1993 with host interface unit to connect with the all-source analysis system (ASAS ) tactical commander's analysis center (TCAC). Teammate direction-finding link also improved. Advanced Quick Fix planned with open-architecture processing for quicker upgrading as threat changes.

Embassy Hawk

UH-60A modified as to be contingency mission aircraft based in Western Europe, and assigned to U.S. commanders-in-chief. Fitted with LST -5B voice and data satellite communications link, AN/ARN-148 Omega global navigation system and Robertson auxiliary fuel systems equipment. At least four were converted. First revealed in May 1990.

S-70A/B/C

Export/commercial air versions. S-70As are export tactical models. S-70Bs are export naval versions (see Sea Hawk database entry). S-70Cs are commercial versions.

S-70A5

Designator used for Philippine air force Black Hawks.

S-70A11

Designator used for Jordanian air force Black Hawks.

S-70A21

Designator used for Egyptian VIP transports delivered in 1990.

S-70A-24

Designator used for Mexican air force UH-60L, VIP-transport configured, Black Hawks delivered in 1991.

S-70A27

Two aircraft delivered to Hong Kong Government Flying Service in 1992 for US$23.8 million.

S-70A-50 Yanshuf II (Owl)

Designator for new Israeli air force Black Hawks built to UH-60L standards. Fifteen were supplied in 1998; 10 were supplied from U.S. Army stocks. These are designated Yanshuf. All Israeli Black Hawks are to be fitted with the PAWS (passive airborne warning system) developed by Elisra Electronic Systems. PAWS is designed to provide warning against air-to-air and surface-to-air missiles with either IR or radar guidance.

UH-60JA

Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk utility helicopters built under license by Mitsubishi under a $2.67 billion contract signed in February 1995. The UH-60JA, as it is known in Japan Ground Self-Defense service, will gradually phase out older UH-1Hs now in service.

UH-60Q "Dustoff"

Medical evacuation version of the UH-60L under development for the U.S. Army. Fitted with rescue hoist, litter accommodation facilities (nine litters) developed by air-methods, oxygen generator, on-board electrical generator, medical kits, weather radar, personnel locator system, improved defensive systems, SAFIRE FLIR and advanced navigation suite ( GPS /INS). First prototype delivered in September 1993. Sikorsky was awarded a $14.5 million Phase II development contract to modify additional Black Hawks to the UH-60Q standard.

SH-60B/SH-60F/S-70C Seahawk

Naval variants of the Black Hawk ; see separate database entry.

HH-60H Rescue Hawk

U.S. Navy combat search-and-rescue aircraft based on SH-60 .

EH-60C Command and Control Aircraft

UH-60 variant being developed for U.S. Army as an airborne command post for brigade, division and corps commanders. To be equipped with:

• 30-inch, large-screen display;
• Army aviation command and control system (A2C2S);
• command database;
• connectivity to higher and lower units; and
• five automated reconfigurable workstations (for the commander and four staff officers).

Communications connectivity includes datalinks, JTIDS, SINCGARS/SIP, EPLRS, UAV data links and other specialized electronic equipment. Two prototypes were deployed with the 4th Infantry Division, where they took part in a very successful demonstration of its capabilities during a Task Force XXI exercise.

YEH-60B

Prototype with belly-mounted extendable, rotating radar antenna measuring 19 ft (5.79 m) long for trials as standoff target acquisition system (SOTAS ). Landing gear modified with longer stroke. First flight on Feb. 6, 1981. Program cancelled in September 1981.

Saudi National Guard General Service Configuration

The Saudi Arabian National Guard is receiving 24 UH-60M Black Hawks in this configuration. It includes the standard UH-60M T700-GE-701D engines; CMC 2028MC flight-management system; digital automatic flight-control system; glass cockpit; AN/APN-209(V) radar altimeter; improved head-up display; AN/ARN-149(V) automatic direction-finder radio; AN/ARN-147(V) range and direction-finding equipment; AN/ARN-153 navigation equipment; AN/ARC-201E, commercial MXF-4027 and Panther radios; AN/APX-123 identification-friend-or-foe transponder; CN-1689(V) GPS with Saudi Arabian coding; AN/APR-39A(V)4 radar warning receiver; AN/AVR-2B(V) laser warning receiver; AN/AAR-57 common missile warning receiver; countermeasures dispensers; WX-500 storm scope; rotor blade coating and rotor brake; integrated vehicle health-management system; dual mode (normal/infrared) controllable searchlight; auxiliary power unit with inlet barrier filter; upturned exhaust system; Martin-Baker palletized crew seats; 406 emergency locator transmitter; and M240H 7.62-mm machine guns.

Eight of the helicopters are to be fitted with external stores support system stub wings for external fuel tanks and/or munitions; forward-looking infrared sensors; additional searchlights; and two palletized environmental control systems (heating and air-conditioning).

Four UH-60Ms will be equipped with an external electric hoist and litter system for medical evacuation missions. An undisclosed number will be quipped for fast-rope insertions.

T-70

Developed under the Turkish Utility Helicopter Program (TUHP), this is a variant of the S-70i Black Hawk featuring a Turkish avionics system. The Integrated Modular Avionics System, developed by Aselsan, Sikorsky and Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), provides powerful smart displays; point-and-click functionality to input pilot commands faster; and ergonomic enhancements to the pilot vehicle interface to reduce pilot workload.

Navigation improvements tailored to Turkish requirements include an integrated terrain-avoidance warning system; integrated advanced digital map; and coupled flight-control functions for guided approaches to landing zones.

The TUHP program is worth about US$3.5 billion for 109 T-70 helicopters. Initial deliveries are slated for 2021.

Firehawk

This variant, built by PZL Mielec in Poland for Los Angeles County, Calif., is designed for firefighting and other emergency response missions. It features wide chord rotor blades for enhanced lift; digital glass cockpit for improved situational awareness; cockpit voice and flight data recorder; and a health management system.

The helicopter is also fitted with a (3,785-liter) water tank, extended landing gear, single pilot cockpit layout and interior equipped for medical evacuation operations.

The aircraft can also perform command-and-control for other firefighting aircraft, medical evacuation, search-and-rescue and logistics support missions.