Aerial Warfare

Sikorsky Receives $525 Million Order For U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawks

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Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk Medium-Lift Rotary-Wing Helicopter
Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk Medium-Lift Rotary-Wing Helicopter

The U.S. Department of Defense said on Tuesday, Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $525.4 million contract modification for work on 40 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters for the U.S. Army. Under the new deal, Sikorsky will produce 38 UH-60M Army aircraft and two UH-60M FMS green aircraft in Stratford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2022. Under the new deal, Sikorsky will produce 38 UH-60M Army aircraft and two UH-60M FMS green aircraft in Stratford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2022.

Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk Medium-Lift Rotary-Wing Helicopter
Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk Medium-Lift Rotary-Wing Helicopter

The new contract comes as a modification to a 2017 contract for production of Black Hawk helicopters for the Army and foreign military customers, specifically Saudi Arabia. The 2017 multi-year deal, chosen instead of five separate annual contracts, was meant to save the U.S. government money, according to the Lockheed Martin-owned Sikorsky. Sikorsky will produce 38 UH-60M Army aircraft and two UH-60M FMS green aircraft in Stratford, Conn., with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2022.

Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk Medium-Lift Rotary-Wing Helicopter
Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk Medium-Lift Rotary-Wing Helicopter

The multi-mission UH-60M is the latest in the Black Hawk helicopter family and is more capable, survivable, maintainable, powerful and effective than its predecessors. The UH-60M provides additional payload and range, advanced digital avionics, better handling qualities and situational awareness, active vibration control, improved survivability and improved performance using high-speed machined parts. The aircraft is the primary medium lift helicopter for the U.S. Army, performing a wide range of missions that encompass Air Assault, MEDEVAC, CSAR, Command and Control, and VIP transport.

Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk Medium-Lift Rotary-Wing Helicopter
Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk Medium-Lift Rotary-Wing Helicopter

In April 2001, the US Army approved an upgrade programme for more than 1,500 Black Hawks to UH-60M configuration. Sikorsky Aircraft developed eight UH-60Ms in the integration and qualification phase of the programme. The UH-60M made its first flight at the Sikorsky Flight Development Center, Florida, in September 2003. The Pentagon’s Defense Acquisition Board approved low-rate initial production (LRIP) of 22 new-build UH-60M aircraft in April 2005. In December 2007, the US Army and the Pentagon approved full-rate production of 1,227 new UH-60Ms and ordered 11 LRIP UH-60M upgrade helicopters. The US Army received a total of 200 UH-60Ms by mid-2010. The maiden flight of the UH-60M upgrade was held in August 2008.

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