The Black Hawk helicopter is a long-range, rotary-wing aircraft that has been used to transport soldiers and other personnel around the world for more than 50 years. Its capacity to carry 11 troops equipped for combat, plus spare parts, makes it a versatile utility rotorcraft, capable of conducting a variety of missions including medical evacuations and search and rescue.
It is equipped with military-grade armament, a cargo hook and the ability of flying at low altitudes. This makes it an invaluable asset for a variety of missions. It also comes with a unique rescue hoist. This allows it to transport survivors from 200ft above the ground, and vertically land in areas unprepared.
Black Hawk also has other modifications, such as an improved avionics system, increased payload capability, improved maneuverability, and enhanced safety features. It is used by the Army National Guard to provide airlift, firefighting, emergency medical services, troop transport, and electronic warfare.
The UH-60A and UH-60L are available in two variants: the standard armed troop transport and a dedicated medevac model that is used to ferry and provide medical assistance. The UH-60A and UH-60L have large cabins that can hold 11 fully-equipped soldiers as well as four full-sized litters or other medical equipment.
It is the UH-60 with the ability to refuel onboard C-130 Hercules. Because of this, military forces in Iraq & Afghanistan often use it. It is also the only rotorcraft capable of being fast-roped. This makes it a very efficient way to disembark quickly and reload quickly.
The Black Hawk is available in two variants: the military version and the special operations variant. This is for missions in hostile terrain or in adverse weather conditions. This version comes equipped with two M134 7.62mm miniguns and can be used to carry out aerial assaults, resupply and transport special forces.
The UH-60 Black Hawk can be considered a military workhorse, but its future looks bright. It is likely that the UH-60 Black Hawk will continue to play a crucial role in American peacekeeping and war efforts for many years.
The Pentagon is currently preparing to replace the iconic Black Hawk helicopters it owns with a new tiltrotor. It will cost $70Billion over the next ten years and will be the Army's largest ever procurement project. Sikorsky and Boeing, both part of Lockheed Martin's Lockheed Martin, protest the decision. The Army could also challenge it in court, if it wins the bid.
Already, lawmakers demand answers from the Army. They have also asked the Government Accountability Office for a review of its decision. A GAO ruling could reshape the debate over the future of the Black Hawk and potentially put millions of dollars in tax credits at stake for companies that supply Sikorsky or other contractors.
The Army is working to replace its Black Hawks with a new tiltrotor design that it will use to launch the Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft. The Army has selected Bell's V-280 Valor model over the Defiant X which is a joint design of Sikorsky and Boeing. Both companies have filed a formal protest to the GAO. They must submit a recommendation in 100 days. They would have to reconsider their bids for FLRAA if the GAO decides against them.