UH-60 Black Hawk (United States)

The H-60 Black hawk is a military utility transport helicopter, developed by the American company Sikorsky Aircraft for the United States Army. The primary mission of the black hawk is: delivery of air assaults on the frontline, general support, air medical evacuation, command and control and supporting of special operations. The black hawk has partially replaced the UH-1 Huey. It can transport 11 fully equipped infantry soldiers in the most common weather conditions. The black hawk is also capable of transporting a 105 mm howitzer with a crew of 6 and 30 grenades ammunition.

In 2011, the US Army had a fleet of more than 1,945 H-60 Black Hawks in different configurations. The most used types are the UH-60A and L. These helicopters are modified to the UH-60M. Also, new build UH-60M's are often delivered the the US Army. In July 2011, Sikorsky reported it had delivered the 300th UH-60M to the US Army.

Modernized Black hawks can also be used for:

- command and control
- electronic warfare
- support of special forces

The black hawk can transport 11 fully equipped infantry soldiers. Furthermore it can be armored with a 105mm artillery canon on the down side and it can be armored with a 30mm. canon or two M60D 7.62mm machine guns. A important avionics upgrade is digital communication and navigation series. It is equipped with 2 General Electric T700 turboshaft engines.

Versions
From the basis UH-60A Black Hawk, there have been designed a lot of other versions for specific purposes within the US Army, Navy Air Force and foreign users. Some of these are:

UH-60Q Black hawk: a Black Hawk for aeromedical purposes
UH-60L Black Hawk: the most used version currently in service with the US Army and successor of the UH-60A.
UH-60M Black Hawk: the newest version of the Black Hawk
HH-60G Pave Hawk: heavy modified UH-60A, which is used by the USAF
HH-60J Jayhawk: is used by the US Coast Guard
HH-60M: new version for US Army medical evacuation MEDEVAC
MH-60S Knighthawk: the successor of the UH-1, HH-60H, CH-46 and SH-60 with the US Navy
MH-60R: the successor of the SH-60B and SH-60F with the US Navy
SH-60B Seahawk: anti-submarine warfare helicopter with the US Navy based on frigates and destroyers
SH-60F Seahawk: idem but then based on US aircraft carriers
S-70: Export version of the UH-60 Black Hawk.

Crash
-On January 7, 2005 a American UH-60 Black hawk crashed 12km east of Tal Afar in Iraq. 12 men where of 4 crew and 8 passengers died.