The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has recently taken delivery of four Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk utility military helicopters to take their Black Hawk fleet to a total of 18. The Royal Thai Army Army Aviation Center 9th Aviation Battalion has received new 4 UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopter serial 7450, 7451, 7452, and 7453 that were ordered in 2017 in early December 2022. From the first deliveries of three UH-60L models in 2011, 20 have been imported, including three acquired pre-owned. Thailand began its efforts by buying a handful of H-60 family helicopters, but rather than standardize, they’re buying a widening variety of helicopters in very small lots.
The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is a four-blade, twin-engine, medium-lift utility military helicopter manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. Named after the Native American war leader Black Hawk, the UH-60A entered service with the U.S. Army in 1979, to replace the Bell UH-1 Iroquois as the Army’s tactical transport helicopter. This was followed by the fielding of electronic warfare and special operations variants of the Black Hawk. Improved UH-60L and UH-60M utility variants have also been developed. Modified versions have also been developed for the U.S. Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard. In addition to U.S. Army use, the UH-60 family has been exported to several nations.
The UH-60M helicopter is slated to replace older BLACK HAWK helicopters currently in the U.S. Army’s fleet and represents the Army’s third standard baseline BLACK HAWK version in the 30-year production history of the program. The newest version of the Army’s premier combat utility helicopter, the UH-60M, ensures compatibility with the U.S. Army’s Future Force. It will bring new life to the existing fleet, improve their effectiveness, reduce their vulnerability, and allow for future growth while lowering operating and support costs. A fleet of over 1,200 UH-60Ms will be equiped with the new technology needed to meet these Future Forces requirements.
The UH-60M provide the Army with many enhancements critical to supporting its missions. Design improvements include Wide-Chord blades and the 701D engine (max 2,000 shp or 1,500 kW each) and improved durability gearbox which combine to provide better performance and lower operating costs. More survivable with an enhanced laser warning system (AVR2B), Upturned Exhaust System, and the Common Missile Warning System (CMWS). An Integrated Vehicle Health Management System (IVHMS) provides monitoring and diagnostic capabilities that insures an even more reliable combat aircraft. UH-60M upgrade with fly-by-wire system and Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) cockpit suite.
