Photograph:
Aerospatiale SA-341 Gazelle VH-GKK (c/n 1527) at Bankstown, NSW (David C Eyre)
Country of origin:
United States of America.
Description:
Multi-role battlefield transport support helicopter.
Power Plant:
Two 1487kw (1,994 shp) General Electric T700-GE -701D turboshafts.
Specifications:
- Length: 19.76 m (64 ft 10 in)
- Fuselage length: 15.27 m (50 ft 1 in)
- Height: 5.13 m (15 ft 10 in)
- Main rotor diameter: 16.36 m (53 ft 8 in)
- Main rotor area: 2.10 m2 (2,260 sq ft)
- Max speed: 294 km/h (183 mph)
- Cruising speed: 282 km/h (175 mph)
- Ferry range with internal tanks: 2,221 km (1.380 miles)
- Combat range: 590 km (370 miles)
- Service ceiling: 5,800 m (19,000 ft)
- Rate of climb: (1,646 ft/min)
Armament:
Two 7.62 mm (0.30 in) M240 machine guns
Two 7.62 mm (0.30 in) M134 mini guns
Two 12.7 mm (0.50 in) gatling guns
Variety of Hellfire laser-guided and air-to-ground missiles
History:
The Blackhawk is a multi-role battlefield transport support helicopter and was submitted for the US Army Tactical Transport competition in 1974.
The prototype, known as the YUH-60A, was chosen after a fly-off competition with a prototype from Boeing Vertol. It was named after Blackhawk, the American war leader. More than 5,000 examples have been produced.
The Blackhawk was introduced into US military service in 1979. It replaced earlier models and incorporated new technology which provided more power, survivability and effectiveness, a key feature of which was a digital avionics suite.
A number of variants have been produced for air arms around the world, including the US Coast Guard. Variants for the US Army can be fitted with stub wings to carry additional fuel tanks or weapons.
Sikorsky is a Lockheed-Martin company. The Sikorsky company continues to build helicopters in the United States for western nations.
In 1986 the Australian Government ordered the UH-60 for the Australian Army.
Sikorsky Australia launched a refurbishment program to repurpose ex-military Blackhawks for commercial use, examples being converted for heavy lift and fire-bombing, giving them a new lease of life, the company also supporting the Royal Australian Navy fleet of MH-60R at a purpose-built facility at Nowra, NSW.
Transport within the C-130 Hercules was one of the requirements. The engines were to have improved hot and high altitude performance with dry gear boxes, redundant systems for hydraulic, electrical and flight controls, crash worthy main structure.
New roles for the type included mine-laying and medical evacuation. One variant was the EH-60 for electronic warfare and special operations.
In 1987 the UH-60L was ordered, this model having a number of improvements, having more power, lift capabilities and T700-GE-701C engines.
The company then moved on to the UH-60M in 2001, having T700-GE-701D engines, new rotor blades, new electronic instrumentation, flight controls and navigation equipment. Manufacture of the UH-60M commenced in 2006 and soon a contract was signed in 2007 for 1,227 aircraft.
In 2012 a contract was placed with Sikorsky to improve the aircraft’s durability and survivability. Replacement of the Blackhawk will be some time away and they will not be replaced until the new vertical lift program is ready to take over.
In 2023 the Government announced it was ordering the latest UH-61 model, an order being placed for 40 examples to replace the MRH-90 Taipan.
In mid 2023 two new aircraft were delivered to the sixth RAR of the Australian Army at Holsworthy, NSW, a further example being delivered shortly after.