FIA2024 – Black Hawk riding high

At FIA2024 Lockheed Martin highlighted the success of its multi-mission Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopter This year the US State Department has approved foreign military sales (FMS) of a total of 36 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to Sweden, Austria, and Brazil. According to Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) announcements, the three countries each requested 12 of the Sikorsky-manufactured choppers for an accumulated value of US$2.9 billion

The Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) had signed a contract for the acquisition of 12 UH-60Ms for the Swedish Armed Forces. The twelve Helikopter16 will be supplied in the next few years, in addition to the other 15 Black Hawk already in service. Croatia and Jordan have also expanded their Black Hawk helicopter fleets, with Croatia acquiring eight new UH-60Ms, bringing its total to 12.

The US State Department has also approved a possible US$ 1.95 billion sale of Black Hawk helicopters to Greece. The sale includes 35 Sikorsky UH-60Ms as an acquisition priority for Athens to replace its current helicopter fleet with more reliable capabilities. The contract could include the common missile warning, radar, and wireless intercom systems, as well as unguided rockets, machine guns, and other ballistic weaponry for the aircraft. Additionally, Greece has requested pilot and maintenance personnel training and training equipment.

A version of the Sikorsky Black Hawk is also an option for the UK MoD’s New Medium Helicopter programme. Although an Invitation to Negotiate was released by the former government in February 2024, a decision may have to wait until the new government completes its strategic defence review.

Meanwhile, a series of tests of the General Electric Aerospace T901 engines are being carried this year. Designed under the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), this engine promises better performance, range, and longevity than existing helicopter engines.

Two T901s have been delivered to Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky facility ahead of integration into the UH-60M Black Hawk. The US Army’s Black Hawk helicopters could get fitted with the planned next-generation engines as early as 2025.

Photos courtesy Lockheed Martin and D. Oliver