Few helicopters are built to endure every possible situation that may arise. However, the UH-60 is definitely one of these, boasting a massive variety of features on the UH-60 base variant alone, let alone the vast array of variants created for special operations, pure transport, electronic warfare, and many other duties. Boasting an aerodynamic design and high top speed, the UH-60 has an amazing survivability rate, able to deter most threats and survive direct hits from those that make it past the Black Hawk's defenses. The UH-60 remains the backbone of US Army aviation squadrons, and can oft be seen in photographs flying in tight formations, everywhere from Iraq to Afghanistan and beyond. Even the multiple variants of the Blackhawk are widely renowned for their efficiency despite being modified from a utilitarian design. These include the HH-60 Jayhawk/Rescue Hawk used by the US Coast Guard for essential SAR (Search-And-Rescue) duties and the MH-60 PaveHawk which was used on the famous May 1st raid, on which Al Quaeda Leader Osama Bin Laden was reportedly shot and killed.
As the UH-1 Huey utility helicopter, itself a legend for it versatility, began to age, a replacement was sought with a higher troop capacity and survivability rate. The goal was to produce a very efficient helicopter that could still carry sizeable troop loads, equipment, survivability features, armament, and remain agile, while retaining a high speed and an aerodynamic, low-profile design. Despite the requirement being incredibly ambitious, Sikorsky's YUH-60 was favoured by the US Army over a rival design from Boeing-Vertol (Now Boeing), the YUH-61, which had similar capabilities but lacked several of the features that attracted the Army. The UH-60 was slightly more versatile, and well-suited to the conditions (rough terrain, poor visibility, high hostile prescence) under which it was to be operated. The YUH-60 flew in 1974, and entered production about 3-4 years later as the UH—60A Black Hawk utility helicopter. A slightly modified UH-60C followed, but differed little from the original.
The UH-60A helicopter, although many have been upgraded and modified, remained the definitive early variant. The aircrew of the UH-60A consisted of two pilots, although gunners and engineers were also often carried. The glass windshield in the cockpit was unobstructed by struts and equipment, offering the pilots a clear view forwards. The far port and starboard corners of the nose featured transparent panels, which could be used by the pilots when landing in tight spaces. In the cockpit itself, the pilots sit on armoured seats, while 11 troops are carried in the lengthened central fuselage compartment. Instead of hatches or ramps, the UH-60A Black Hawk featured sliding doors which allow troops inside the craft to make a speedy exit when necessary. Ropes and ladders are also carried, so that the UH-60 can pick up/drop of troops without actually having to land in hostile zones for extended periods of time. The UH-60A can also carry a variety of loads from HMMWVs to artillery piece components, slung under the fuslage. For armed assault (transporting troops into disputed territory) missions, a pair of 7.62 mm machine guns/miniguns is normally mounted on the doors. As the Black Hawk is a utility/transport helicopter, these are used to lay down a base of suppressing fire to cover troops exiting/entering the helicopter. Depending on the situation, extra armament is sometimes mounted in the cabin, although many air forces choose not to arm UH-60As, instead relying on gunships, rescue support and CAS (Close-Air-Support) aircraft to provide covering fire. Power for the UH-60A is provided by twin General Electric T700-GE-700 turboshafts delivering 1261 kW of power each.
Although a wide variety of safety features are boasted by the UH-60A, the most prominent of these is the strengthened undercarriage which can easily absorb 45kmH impacts, and allows for "hard and fast" landings. The Black Hawk is also capable of going into a spin when disabled, which drastically reduces the impact when the craft hits the ground. The rotors are reinforced against ground fire, as are the armoured seats of the two pilots. To protect against the recent threat of portable SAM (Surface-to-Air Missile) launchers, the exhaust of the UH-60A is steadily dispersed, reducing the overall infra-red signature. Countermeasures such as chaff and flares may also be employed.
A UH-60L variant was later developed from the UH-60A, featuring uprated T700-GE-701C engines and various improvements to the avionics and gearbox. Several UH-60Ls have been fitted with the significantly more powerful T-700-GE-701D engines, which were also found on the subsequent UH-60M, along with further avionics and structural upgrades. Several UH-60Ms also featured fly-by-wire technology. For medical evacuations, the UH-60Q was derived from the UH-60A and in addition to carrying stretchers, paramedics, medical equipment, and a variety of similar features, is also capable of managing long-ranged flights. Black Hawks have served in a variety of different conflicts, the most prominent being Grenada, Operation Desert Storm and the 2003 Iraq War, and Somalia. Black Hawks made a prominent appearance in the classic war novel and subsequent motion picture "Black Hawk Down" for their involvement in the Somalian conflict. The Blackhawk's extensive survival features have saved lives on numerous occasions, most notably crashes. UH-60s destroyed in Somalia were apparently brought down by unguided RPG-7 launchers, many of which were fired at the choppers daily. In the Gulf War, two UH-60s were destroyed when American F-15 Eagle fighters accidently assumed them to be hostile aircraft, and everyone on board reportedly perished.
As a utility helicopter, the Black Hawk would be performing a wide variety of duties without too many serious modifications needed for different missions. Utility duties include, but are not limited to, troop/cargo transport, armed assault, medical evacuation, and tactical insertion. Although the basic Black Hawk designs proved capable in these roles, a series of variants were spawned, many of which were dedicated entirely to the successful performance of a single role.
Although a multitude of Black Hawk variants exist, a majority of them have been operated by American forces. Black Hawks were modified for the ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare) role as SH-60 Sea Hawks (Upgraded SH-60Fs are unofficially known as Ocean Hawks) and provide a variety of air forces with an incredibly capable ASW platform. MH-60 Pave Hawks were also developed for special operations teams, and although gained fame as the mount of the SEAL team responsible for killing Osama Bin Laden, have been used to rescue pilots and on classified hit-and-run/sabotage style missions. The US Coast Guard also took deliveries of a HH-60 Jay Hawk, which carries no armament but is used in the SAR role. The USMC (United States Marine Corps) considered a CH-60 dedicated troop-transport variant, but this never substantiated, and to date only operates a small number of VH-60 White Hawk VIP transport aircraft. An armed AH-60 Battle Hawk was developed with the hopes of securing Australian orders, but when this failed, it was ordered by Colombia instead. In addition to a variety of countries who purchased UH-60s in various configuration, some countries undertook licensed production, such as Japan and Korea.
Written by: Pace51