UH-60 Black Hawk
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| UH-60 Black Hawk | |
|---|---|
 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. |
|
| Type | Utility helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation |
| Maiden flight | 1974 |
| Introduced | 1979 |
| Status | Active service |
| Primary users | United States Army Australian Army Republic of Korea Army Turkish Armed Forces |
| Produced | 1970s-present |
| Number built | 2600+ |
| Unit cost | US$5.9 million |
| Developed from | Sikorsky S-70 |
| Variants | SH-60 Seahawk HH-60 Pave Hawk HH-60 Jayhawk |
The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a medium-lift utility or assault helicopter derived from the twin-turboshaft engine, single rotor Sikorsky S-70.
The YUH-60A (S-70) was the winner of the United States Army Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) competition in the early 1970s to replace the UH-1 Iroquois (Huey) family. It would go on to serve as the basis for variants in service with other branches of the US military.
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[edit] Development
The Black Hawk was developed to meet a US Army Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) requirement for a UH-1 Iroquois replacement in January 1972.[1] Four prototypes were constructed, the first (YUH-60) flying in October 1974, and evaluated against a rival Boeing-Vertol design, the YUH-61A. A Preliminary Evaluation was conducted in November 1975 prior to delivery of the prototypes to the US Army. The evaluation was conducted to determine if the aircraft could be operated safely by typical Army pilots. Three of the prototypes were delivered to the US Army in March 1976, and one was kept by Sikorsky for internal research purposes. The Black Hawk was selected for production and the UH-60A entered service with the US Army in 1979.
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. A newer model is being engineered (UH-60M), which 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.
[edit] Design
The Black Hawk series of aircraft 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.[2] 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. The Black Hawk is equipped with advanced avionics and electronics for increased survivability and capability, such as the Global Positioning System.
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.[3]
[edit] Variants
The UH-60 comes in many variants, and many different modifications. The standard U.S. Army version can be fitted with the "External Stores Support System" (ESSS)[4] which provides wings that allow it to carry up to four external fuel tanks for extended range operations or a variety of weapons,[5] while variants may have different capabilities and their respective equipment in order to fulfill different roles.
[edit] UH-60 Black Hawk
- UH-60A Black Hawk: Original U.S. Army version, carrying a crew of four[6] and up to 11 passengers. Equipped with T-700-GE-700 engines.[7]
- 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).[8][9]
- 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.)[7]
- MH-60A Black Hawk: Modified with additional avionics, precision navigation system, FLIR and air-to-air refueling capability. Equipped with T-700-GE-701 engines.[7]
- YEH-60B Black Hawk: UH-60A modified for special radar and avionics installations, prototype for stand-off target acquisition system.[7]
- UH-60C Black Hawk: Modified version for C2 missions.
- EH-60C Black Hawk: UH-60A modified with special electronics equipment and external antenna. (All examples of type have been taken back to standard UH-60A configuration.)[7]
- UH-60L Black Hawk: UH-60A with upgraded T-700-GE-701C or T-700-GE-701D/CC engines,[7] improved durability gearbox, and additional vibration absorbers.[2]
- EUH-60L (no official name assigned): Modified with additional mission electronic equipment for Army Airborne C2.[7]
- EH-60L Black Hawk: EH-60A with major mission equipment upgrade.[7]
- UH-60M Black Hawk: UH-60L upgraded[7] with improved design wide chord rotor blades, T-700-GE-701D Engines, improved durability gearbox, integrated Vehicle Management Systems (IVHMS) computer, and modern "Glass Cockpit" flight instrument suite. Planned to replace all UH-60A and L aircraft with the U.S. Army.[3]
- UH-60Q Black Hawk: UH-60A modified for medical evacuation. Aircraft since re-designated HH-60A.[7]
[edit] SH-60 Seahawk
- YSH-60B Seahawk: Developmental version, led to SH-60B.[7]
- SH-60B Seahawk: The United States Navy's sea-going version. Based on UH-60A but with Mark III avionics. Equipped with T-700-GE-401 engines.[7]
- NSH-60B Seahawk: Permanently configured for flight testing.[7]
- SH-60F Seahawk: Navy upgrade version, received in 1988, equipped with dipping sonar.[7]
- NSH-60F Seahawk: Modified SH-60F to support the VH-60N Cockpit Upgrade Program.[7]
[edit] HH/MH-60 Pave Hawk
- HH-60G Pave Hawk: Modified UH-60A primarily designed for combat search and rescue. It is equipped with a rescue hoist with a 200 ft (60.96 m) cable that has a 600 lb (270 kg) lift capability, and a retractable in-flight refueling probe.[7]
- MH-60G Pave Hawk: Special Operations version ( used by the USAF), equipped with long-range fuel tanks, air-to-air refueling capability, FLIR, improved radar. Powered by T-700-GE-700/701 engines.[7]
- HH-60H Sea Hawk: Modified SH-60F with both offensive and defensive weaponry. T-700-GE-401 engines.[7]
- MH-60K Black Hawk: Special operations modification, used by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment ("Night Stalkers") at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
- HH-60L (no official name assigned): UH-60L extensively modified with medical mission equipment.[7] 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.[4]
- MH-60L Direct Action Penetrator (DAP): Special operations modification, operated by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment.[10] It is capable of being armed with 30 mm chain gun and 2.75 inch rockets, as well as M134D gatling guns operated as door guns or fixed forward.
- HH-60M {no official name assigned}: UH-60M with medical mission equipment.[7]
- MH-60R Seahawk: Modified SH-60B for multiple mission use. T-700-GE-401 engines.[7]
- MH-60S Knighthawk: Navy Multi-role combat support helicopter. Used for search and rescue, CSAR, MEDEVAC, Organic Airborne Mine Countermeasures, and anti-surface warfare. It is equipped with T-700-GE-401 engines.[7]
[edit] Other
- HH-60J Jayhawk: The United States Coast Guard version, equipped with a rescue hoist with a 200 ft (60.96 m) cable that has a 600 lb (270 kg) lift capability.
- VH-60D Nighthawk: VIP-configured HH-60D, used for Presidential transport. T-700-GE-401 engines.[7]
- VH-60N Whitehawk: Modified HH-60D used for Presidential transport.[citation needed]
[edit] 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.[11]
- UH-60JA Black Hawk: Export variant for the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force. Also made under license by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.[11]
- AH-60L Arpía III: Export version for Colombia, COIN attack version with improved electronics, firing system, FLIR, radar, light rockets and gun machines, developed by Fuerza Aérea Colombiana, Elbit and Sikorsky.
- AH-60L Battle Hawk: Export version for the Australian Army.
- UH-60P Black Hawk: Export version for the Republic of Korea, similar to UH-60L configuration.[7]
[edit] Operators
Sikorsky offered the design in the defense market, leading to its purchase by over 20 other countries. It is currently in service with the militaries of:
- 9 S-70A-42 Black Hawk
- More than 90 in current service
- Only 1 in service
- 2 in service by Royal Moroccan Gendarmerie
- 6 in current service.
- Presidential Air Wing (civilian version S-70)
- 7 in current service (2 on order)
- 20 S-70A, 30 S-70A-28 & 48 S-70A-17/S-70A-19 Black Hawk
[edit] Specifications (UH-60L Black Hawk)
Data from Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes,[12] US Army Fact File,[13] Frawley[14]
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
- Length: 64 ft 10 in (19.76 m)
- Rotor diameter: 53 ft 8 in (16.36 m)
- Height: 16 ft 10 in (5.13 m)
- Disc area: 2,260 ft² (210 m²)
- Empty weight: 10,624 lb (4,819 kg)
- Loaded weight: 22,000 lb (7,375 kg)
- Max takeoff weight: 24,500 lb (11,113 kg)
- Powerplant: 2× General Electric T700-GE-701C free-turbine turboshafts, 1,800 hp (1,340 kW) each
Performance
- Never exceed speed: 193 knots (222 mph, 357 km/h)
- Maximum speed: 159 kt (183 mph, 295 km/h)
- Cruise speed: 150 kt (173 mph, 278 km/h)
- Combat radius: 368 mi (320 nmi, 592 km)
- Ferry range: 1,380 mi[12] (1,200 nmi, 2,220 km)
- Service ceiling 19,000 ft (5,790 m)
- Rate of climb: 700 ft/min (3.6 m/s)
- Disc loading: 7.19 lb/ft² (35.4 kg/m²)
- Power/mass: 0.192 hp/lb (158 W/kg)
Armament
- Guns: 2× 7.62 mm (0.30 in) M60 machine guns or M134 miniguns
(The Army is now replacing the M60 machine gun with the M240H machine gun.)[15]
- Can be equipped with VOLCANO minefield dispersal system. See UH-60 Armament Subsystems for more information.
[edit] References
- ^ Leoni, Ray (2007), Black Hawk: The Story of a World Class Helicopter, AIAA, ISBN 1-56347-918-4
- ^ VH-60, Global Security
- ^ H-60, Global Security
- ^ Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
- ^ Army Technology - UH-60 Black Hawk Sikorsky S-70A - Multi-Mission Helicopter
- ^ [1]
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x DoD 4120-15L, Model Designation of Military Aerospace Vehicles
- ^ Science Blog - NASA
- ^ http://ails.arc.nasa.gov/Images/Aeronautics/AC91-0712-15.html Image of UH-60A RASCAL first flight]
- ^ 160th's web page
- ^ a b Mitsubishi Heavy Industries UH-60J page
- ^ a b Gunston, Bill (1995). The Encyclopedia of Modern Warplanes. London: Aerospace Publishing Ltd. ISBN 1-56619-908-5.
- ^ Black Hawk fact file, US Army.
- ^ Frawley, Gerald. The International Directory of Military Aircraft, 2002/2003. Aerospace Publications, 2002. ISBN 1-875671-55-2.
- ^ M240H 7.62mm Machine Gun (Aviation Version). U.S. Army PEO Soldier. Retrieved on 2007-04-08.
[edit] See also
Related development
Comparable aircraft
- Boeing-Vertol YUH-61
- UH-1
- NHI NH90
- Mil Mi-8/Mi-17
- Aérospatiale Super Frelon / Changhe Z-8
- AgustaWestland EH101
Related lists
[edit] External links
- Black Hawk U.S Army fact file
- Army Aviation Training Center (at Ft. Rucker) UH-60A Black Hawk page
- Sikorsky Aircraft's BLACK HAWK page
- UH-60A, H-60, AH-60L and Sikorsky S-70 on GlobalSecurity.org
- H-60 Series aircraft photos and info on HawkOnline.us
- S-70A-42 Black Hawk of the Austrian Army
- UTTAS program, origin of the Black Hawk
- Military.com with data on range extending devices
- Black Hawk Training courses and Equipment
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