The UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter is a medium-sized general-purpose/attack helicopter developed from the twin-turboshaft engine and the single-rotor helicopter S-70 produced by Sikorsky Corporation of the United States.
The Blackhawk series of helicopters can perform a variety of different tasks, including: tactical personnel transportation, electronic warfare and air rescue. Several VH-60N Blackhawks are even used as the US President's Landline Marine Corps No. 1 (also known as VH- 60 white eagle). In carrying out an air raid mission, the Blackhawk can carry 11 soldiers and corresponding equipment, or load a 105mm M102 howitzer, 30 rounds of 105mm ammunition and 4 gunners at the same time. When transporting supplies, the Blackhawk can load 1170 kg (2600 lbs) of cargo or hoist 4050 kg (4000 lbs) of cargo. The Blackhawk is equipped with advanced avionics systems such as Global Positioning System to enhance its field survivability and performance.
The Black Hawk was designed in 1972 in accordance with the requirements of the US Army to replace the UH-1 Iroquois helicopter. Sikorsky produced a total of four prototypes. The first prototype (YUH-60) first flew in October 1974, competing with Boeing-Vertol's Boeing-Vertol YUH-61. In the end, the Black Hawk won the bid for mass production, and the UH-60A entered the US Army in 1979. In the late 1980s, the model was upgraded to the UH-60L (the first is 89-26179), which upgraded the general-purpose power T700-GE-701C engine with higher power and lift. The model currently under development (UH-60M) will extend the service life of the UH-60A and UH-60L to the 1920s. This new model will be equipped with the more powerful T700-GE-701D engine and most Advanced electronic equipment, flight control systems and navigation systems.
The UH-60 is derived from many models and versions. The US Standard Edition can be equipped with an External Storage Support System (ESSS) [1]. This system adds wings that can be installed with up to 4 sub tanks and multiple weapons, increasing the range and performance. Other derivative models are also equipped with different devices and have different capabilities to meet different needs.
UH-60A Black Hawk - The first US Army version, with a maximum of 11 crew members in addition to the crew of 4, equipped with T-700-GE-700 engine
UH-60A RASCAL - The National Aeronautics and Space Administration's revised version of the "Rotorcraft-Crew System Concept Airlift Laboratory" program, which costs $25 million to study the handling of helicopters in three sub-plans, three The plans are:
- Superaugmented Controls for Agile Maneuvering Performance (SCAMP) Super Mobile Warfare Performance Control Project
- Automated Nap-of-the-Earth (ANOE) Automated Global to Point Project
- Rotorcraft Agility and Pilotage Improvement Demonstration Helicopter Maneuvering and Navigation Improvement Project (RAPID)
- EH-60A Black Hawk - Improved electronic system and operator station to accommodate two electronic system task operators.
- MH-60A Black Hawk - Modified additional avionics, precision navigation system FLIR and aerial refueling capabilities and equipped with the T-700-GE-701 engine. YEH-60B Black Hawk - Modified the UH-60A radar and avionics as a prototype for a long-range target search system.
- YSH-60B Seahawk - Prototype, and finally developed into SH-60B
- SH-60B Seahawk - US Navy Sea Edition, based on UH-60A plus Mark III avionics system. Use T-700-GE-401 engine.
- NSH-60B Seahawk - Permanently used for flight testing
- UH-60C Black Hawk - A modified version for "C2 Mission".
- EH-60C Black Hawk - Special electronic equipment and off-board antennas are modified on the UH-60A.
- VH-60D Nighthawk - President and VIP dedicated machine, also uses T-700-GE-401 engine.
- SH-60F Seahawk - An upgraded version of the Navy, published in 1988, with the airdrop type sonar.
- NSH-60F Seahawk - The modified version of the SH-60F uses the VH-60N cockpit upgrade program.
- HH-60G Pave hawk - UH-60A modified version for battlefield search and rescue, there is a pod that can lift 200ft weight, and the cable can withstand 270kg pulling force.
- MH-60G Pave hawk - Special Operations Special Edition with long-range fuel tank and aerial refueling tube, improved radar, T-700-GE-700/701 engine.
- HH-60H Seahawk - The modified SH-60F has an attack weapon and a defense counter system, the T-700-GE-401 engine.
- HH-60J Jayhawk - A special version of the US Coast Guard, with a 200 ft weight pod that can withstand 270 kg of pull.
- MH-60K Black Hawk - Special Operations Edition, used by the 160th Special Flight Wing (Nightwalker), stationed in Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
- UH-60L Black Hawk - Upgraded from the UH-60A with the T-700-GE-701C engine, improved gearbox and shock absorber.
- EUH-60L (no official name) - Add electronic equipment and can be transported by air.
- EH-60L Black Hawk - EH-60A upgraded version.
- HH-60L (no official name) - UH-60L has been greatly modified and upgraded. The external rescue pod has built-in medical equipment, a complete patient monitoring system, and the position of the crew in the rear cabin has also changed.
- MH-60L DAP - Special Operations Special Edition, used by the 160th Special Flight Wing (Nightwalker), can be equipped with a 30mm chain gun and a 2.75" caliber rocket, M134 green machine gun at the side door or front end.
- AH-60L Arpía III - sold to Colombia for export.
- AH-60L Battle Hawk - sold to Australia for export.
- UH-60M Black Hawk - UH-60L Upgrade Designed as a wide rotor system, T-700-GE-701D engine, with improved gearbox, Integrated Vehicle Management System Computer (IVHMS) and modern glass cockpit, light equipment box. The plan is to replace all Army UH-60A and UH-60L.
- HH-60M {no official name} - UH-60M medical mission version.
- VH-60N Nighthawk - The modified HH-60D is used for the presidential plane.
- UH-60P Black Hawk - Sold to South Korea for export, similar to UH-60L configuration.
- UH-60Q Black Hawk - UH-60A medical delivery version.
- YMH-60R Seahawk - The prototype of the MH-60R with the T-700-GE-701C engine.
- MH-60R Seahawk - SH-60B modified version for multi-task with anti-ship and anti-ship, using T-700-GE-401 engine.
- SH-60R Seahawk - The modified SH-60B has better radar and sonar.
- NSH-60R Seahawk - US Navy test version with T-700-GE-701C engine.
- CH-60S Seahawk - UH-60L or SH-60R upgraded for shipping.
- MH-60S Knight Eagle - For Navy injury or fleet replenishment, use the T-700-GE-401 engine.
Source: Wikipedia-Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk