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Family of medium transport/utility military helicopters From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Sikorsky S-70 is an American medium transport/utility helicopter family manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. It was developed for the United States Army in the 1970s, winning a competition to be designated the UH-60 Black Hawk and spawning a large family in U.S. military service. New and improved versions of the UH-60 have been developed since. Civilian versions, and some military versions, are produced under various S-70 model designations.
| S-70/H-60 series | |
|---|---|
| CAL Fire S-70A Firehawk in flight | |
| General information | |
| Type | Medium-lift transport/utility helicopter |
| Manufacturer | Sikorsky Aircraft, Turkish Aerospace Industries (under Licence)[1] |
| Status | In service |
| Primary users | U.S. Customs and Border Protection |
| History | |
| Manufactured | 1970s–present |
| Introduction date | 1979 |
| First flight | October 1974 |
| Variants | Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk Sikorsky HH-60 Pave Hawk Sikorsky HH-60 Jayhawk Mitsubishi H-60 |
The S-70 family was developed to meet a United States Army requirement to replace the UH-1 Iroquois family of utility medium-lift helicopters in 1972. Three YUH-60A prototypes were constructed, with the first flying in October 1974. They were evaluated against the Boeing-Vertol YUH-61A. The YUH-60A was selected for production, and entered service as the UH-60A Black Hawk with the U.S. Army in 1979.[2]
After entering service, the helicopter was modified for new missions and roles, including mine laying and medical evacuation.[citation needed] An EH-60 variant was developed to conduct electronic warfare and special operations aviation developed the MH-60 variant to support its missions.[3] In the late 1980s the model was upgraded to the UH-60L, which featured more power and lift with the upgrade to the -701C model of the GE T700 engine. The improved UH-60M model was developed in the early 2000s.[2] The UH-60M and its International version, the S-70i, include GPS navigation, a glass cockpit, an integrated Flight Management System, and a significant upgrade to the powertrain and rotor system adding both power and lift capability.[citation needed]
The S-70 can perform a variety of missions, including air cavalry, electronic warfare, and aeromedical evacuation. Versions are used to transport the President of the United States under call sign "Marine One". In air assault operations it can move a squad of 11 combat troops and equipment or carry the 105 mm M102 howitzer, thirty rounds of ammunition, and a six-man crew. Alternatively, it can carry 2,600 lb (1,200 kg) of cargo or sling load 9,000 lb (4,100 kg) of cargo. The S-70 is equipped with advanced avionics and electronics, such as the Global Positioning System.
The United States Navy received the first navalized SH-60B Seahawk in 1983, and the SH-60F Ocean Hawk in 1988.
The HH-60G Pave Hawk is a highly modified version of the S-70 primarily designed to recover downed aircrew or other isolated personnel during war and equipped with a rescue hoist with a 250 ft (76 m) cable that has a 600 lb (270 kg) lift capability, and a retractable in-flight refueling probe. The United States Air Force received the MH-60G Pave Hawk in 1982.
The United States Coast Guard received the HH-60J Jayhawk in 1992. It utilizes the equipment of the HH-60G Pave Hawk on the navalized SH-60 platform.[4]
The S-70A Firehawk is a version of the S-70 designed for firefighting, rescue, medical evacuation, and external lift of bulky cargo and equipment. The Oregon National Guard was the first military organization in the world to add the Firehawk to its inventory; the Los Angeles County Fire Department was the first municipal organization.[citation needed] Another Firehawk aerial firefighting operator is the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) with the S-70i variant.[5]
The Army flies medical evacuation models configured as rotary winged medical suites. It also uses the S-70 for special operations by the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment ("Night Stalkers") at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, designated as the MH-60K.[citation needed]
The Maple Hawk was a variant offered by Sikorsky to the Canadian Forces during a 1996 tender to replace the military's search and rescue helicopters.[6]
On 5 August 2010, to support its counter-narcotics and armed forces modernisation efforts, the US DSCA approved the Colombian government's request of additional 9 UH-60L (4 units allocated to the national police force).[7]
In 2017 March, the National Police of Colombia ordered 10 additional 2nd-hand UH-60A helicopters that will increase their total to 19 helicopters in operation.[8]
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In 2018, Poland sign agreement to buy S-70i for Police aviation, to replace Mi-2 reaching the end of their safe flying life.[9]
As part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization efforts, the Department of National Defense signed a contract with PZL-Mielec for 16 S-70i variant of Black Hawk helicopters worth US$241.4 million in March 2019.[10] This to further replace the Philippine Air Force's aging fleet of UH-1 Huey helicopters. The first six units were delivered in November 2020 while the second five units were delivered in June 2021.[11] The final five units of the first batch were delivered in December 2021.[12]
During a nighttime training mission, one unit of the new S-70i Black Hawk crashed killing all six crew on board.[11] In response, the Philippine Air Force grounded the entire fleet until the investigation has been completed.[13] The Armed Forces of the Philippines later on said that "Based on the investigating team’s report, no single factor can be determined as the only cause of these mishaps."[14]
On 22 February 2022, the Department of National Defense signed another contract with PZL-Mielec for an additional 32 S-70i Black Hawks worth US$624 million which included an integrated logistics support and training package for pilots and maintenance crew.[15][16][17]
With the latest contract with PZL-Mielec, the Philippines is set to become the largest operator of the S-70i variant of the Black Hawk once full delivery of the ordered units are completed.[18][19]
The company name for the H-60/S-70 family is the S-70 Black Hawk.
Data from S-70i Brochure[57]
General characteristics
Performance
Related development
Related lists
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