The Sikorsky UH-60 helicopter is a proven workhorse and warrior the world over with some forty years of service to its name and 30 total operators. The type was realized during the 1970s and entered service before the end of the decade. Since then, the versatile rotary-wined platform has gone on to see production reach nearly 4,000 units and military/civilian operators all over the globe. The single design also forms the basic of many other variants (including Special Ops support types) which are modified in their respective roles. The UH-60 will remain the centerpiece of American operations for the foreseeable future with thousands still in continuous operation and no clear successor on the horizon.
3 CREW
Speed
183 MPH
Ceiling
19,029 FEET
Range
1,379 MILES
Mission Roles
GROUND ATTACK
STRIKE
ANTI-ARMOR
CLOSE SUPPORT
RECON
TRAINING
TRANSPORT
MEDEVAC
SEARCH/RESCUE
VIP
Gallery
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
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Image from the U.S. DoD DVIDS imagery database; Public Release.
Manufacturer(s) Sikorsky Aircraft - USA / Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) - Japan / Korean Air - South Korea / PZL Mielec - Poland
Production 4,000 Units
30 Total
Afghanistan; Albania; Australia; Austria; Bahrain; Brazil; Brunei; Chile; China; Colombia; Croatia; Egypt; Israel; Japan (Modern); Jordan; Malaysia; Mexico; Morocco; Philippines; Poland; Saudi Arabia; Slovakia; South Korea; Sweden; Taiwan; Thailand; Tunisia; Turkey; United Arab Emirates; United States
(List includes former, current, and potential operating nations)
UH-60L: 2 x General Electric T700-GE-701C turboshaft engines developing 1,890 horsepower each driving 1 x Four-bladed main rotor on cabin roof and 1 x Four-bladed tail rotor (facing starboard).
Operational Range 1,379 miles | 2,220 km | 1,199 nm
Rate-of-Climb 1,315 ft/min | 401 m/min
(Showcased performance statistics pertain to the UH-60L production model)
Length 64.80 feet (19.75 meters)
Width 53.64 feet (16.35 meters)
Height 16.90 feet (5.15 meters)
(Showcased measurements pertain to the UH-60L production model)
Empty 10,626 lb (4,820 kg)
M.T.O.W. 23,501 lb (10,660 kg)
(Showcased weights pertain to the UH-60L production model)
When armed, the UH-60 platform can sport various air-to-surface weapons including 7.62mm machine guns (typically M240), 7.62mm/12.7mm Gatling guns (M134/GAU-19 types) at door positions (pintle-mounted, trainable).
If equipped with wingstubs, the helicopter can carry 7- and 19-shot FFAR (Hydra 70), AGM-114 'Hellfire' Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs), 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine gun pods, and 20mm automatic cannon pods - as well as jettisonable fuel tanks - across four underwing hardpoints (two per wingstub).
The system is also cleared for the VOLCANO minefield dispersal system. Supported Types:
Close-in Gun(s)
Automatic Cannon(s)
Air-to-Surface Missiles
Conventional Drop Bombs
Rockets / Rocket Pods
Additional Fuel
UH-60 'Black Hawk' - Base Series Designation.
YUH-60A - Development model designation of 1974; three exmples completed.
UH-60A - Initial production model of 1977; T700-GE-700 turboshaft engines.
UH-60C - Command and Control (C2) models with appropriate equipment.
CH-60E - Proposed USMC transport.
UH-60L - Production model of 1989; A-series models with T700-GE-701C engines; modernized FCS.
UH-60V - Modernized UH-60L by Northrop Grumman; glass cockpit (UH-60M style).
UH-60M - Model of 2006; equipped with T700-GE-701D engines of 2,000 horsepower; Wider-chord main rotor blades for improved performance; improved transmission system; IVHMS computer-equipped; new glass cockpit design.
UH-60M (Upgraded) - Modernized UH-60M; FbW control system; Common Avionics Architecture System (CAAS) equipped.
EH-60A - Limited-run Electronic Warfare (EW) model equipped with twin manned stations; since reconverted back to A-model standard.
YEH-60B - Developmental A-model with special radar fit and unique avionics package; Stand-Off Acquisition System (SOAS) equipped.
EH-60C - EW model; reverted to A-model standard.
EUH-60L - UH-60L with special equipment for Army Airborne Command and Control (C2) role.
EH-60L - EH-60A model with upgrades.
UH-60Q 'DUSTOFF' - MEDEVAC platform.
HH-60L - Medical mission model; 2 x Rescue hoist, onboard oxygen stores, crash-resistant seats.
HH-60M - U.S. Army medical mission model.
HH-60U - USAF Combat Rescue Helicopter form; EO-equipped; rescue hoist.
HH-60W '60 Whiskey' - USAF UH-60M model as Combat Rescue Helicopter.
MH-60A - Special mission variant; night-vision capable; enhanced avionics set; additional internal fuel stores; FLIR support; M134 door miniguns; T700-GE-701 engines; 30 examples.
MH-60K - Special mission variant; in-flight refueling probe; T700-GE-701C engines; glass cockpit; AN/APQ-174B series terrain-following radar; enhanced weapons support; enhanced countermeasures kit.
MH-60L - Special mission variant; UH-60L models with T700-701C engines; equipped similarly to MH-60K; 37 examples.
MH-60L DAP - Special mission Direct Action Penetrator dedicated gunship variant; broad weapons support including AAMs.
MH-60M - Equipped with Rockwell Collins 'Common Avionics Architecture System' (CAAS); YT706-GE-700 engines.
MH-60 ('Stealth Hawk') - Stealthy variant of 2010-2011 based in the MH-60 series; reduced noise and radar signatures; angled fuselage panels; specialized skin coating; enhanced countermeasures; enhanced stealth characteristics; increased weight reduces operational range.
UH-60A 'RASCAL' - Rotorcraft-Aircrew Systems Concepts Airborne Laboratory (RASCAL) for NASA use; based in A-model production form.
UH-60 OPBH - 'Optionally-Piloted Black Hawk' model of 2014.
VH-60D 'Night Hawk' - VIP transport based in the HH-60D for USMC/U.S. President use; T700-GE-401C engines; becoming VH-60N.
VH-60N - Redesignation of VH-60D.
VH-60N 'White Hawk' - VIP transport model based in the SH-60B/F Seahawk series; USMC/U.S. President use; model of 1988; nine examples.
UH-60J (S-70-12) - Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) export model (locally-produced by MHI).
UH-60JA - Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF) export model (locally-produced by MHI).
AH-60L 'Arpia' - Colombian export model for COunter-INsurgency (COIN) operations; avionics by Elbit Systems; rocket/machine gun support; FLIR-equipped; improved electricals.
AH-60L 'Battle Hawk' - Proposed Australian Army version; not selected.
UH-60P - South Korean Army model based in the UH-60L; improved form produced locally under Korean Air brand.
S-70A - Base Sikorsky model designation of military export type.
S-70C-2 - Republic of China export model; 24 examples completed.
S-70i - Military model assembled by PZL Mielec of Poland.
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Close-in Gun(s)
Automatic Cannon(s)
Air-to-Surface Missiles
Conventional Drop Bombs
Rockets / Rocket Pods
Additional Fuel