Aircraft

Army, Oct 2002

The Black Hawk also is the first utility and assault helicopter that adds to the Army's division-level mobility; for example, it can reposition a 105-mm howitzer, its crew of six and up to 30 rounds of ammunition in a single lift. The aircraft's critical components and systems are armored or redundant so that it can withstand multiple small-arms hits, and its airframe progressively crushes on impact to protect the passengers in a crash. The Black Hawk was designed to be easily maintained in the field.

The Army began fielding the UH-60 in 1978. Between 1978 and 1989 the Army procured the UH-60A model aircraft. In October 1989, the power train system was upgraded, resulting in a model designation change from UH-60A to UH-60L.

On March 30, 2001, the Defense Acquisition Board met and approved the UH-60M program's entry into system design and development (SSD), formerly engineering and manufacturing development. The UH-60M product office signed a $220 million cost-plus-award-fee contract with Sikorsky Aircraft Co. for the design, development, testing and qualification of the UH-60M. It will meet all Block I requirements stated in the utility helicopter modernization operational requirements document (ORD). The UH-60M program is designed to extend the service life of fielded UH-60A and L models through FY 2025, reduce operating and support costs, improve reliability and maintainability and provide digital interoperability on the battlefield. The UH-60M is the cornerstone to long-term utility fleet sustainment. The first unit to be equipped is scheduled for late FY 2006.

A longer-term UH-60X modernization program is being developed for high-priority UH-60 assets. The future enhancements will address the range, lift and mission equipment capabilities needed to meet mission requirements for future utility, command and air assault missions.

The AN/ALQ-212 Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) is part of the Army's suite of integrated infrared countermeasures (SIIRCM) concept of infrared (IR) protection. This SIIRCM concept also includes advanced infrared countermeasures munitions (AIRCMM), a new development set of IR flare decoys and passive IR features. These features are the host platform modifications intended to reduce IR signatures, and they include such components as engine exhaust/heat suppression and IR-absorbing paints.

Only the Army is integrating the ATIRCM/ CMWS with the advanced threat radar jammer (ATRJ), a new development radio frequency (RF) system, to provide overall IR and RF self-protection. The modular design of ATIRCM/CMWS allows multiple configurations on a wide range of aircraft and ground vehicles. Aside from the 18 U.S. Army program terminations identified in the FY 2003 budget submission, the Office of the Secretary of the Defense (OSD) directed that U.S. Special Operations Command pursue ATIRCM.

Fixed Wing

In addition to the helicopter resources noted above, the Army employs a variety of fixed-wing assets, including the C-12 King Air, which serves as the service's current short-range utility aircraft designed to fill air transportation requirements out to 800 nautical miles (NM). The nondevelopmental aircraft platform provides an efficient all-weather transport for commanders and staff, and low-volume, high-priority parts and equipment. The largest modification program now under way involves the upgrade of 27 C-12F cockpits with newly digitized capabilities.