Rotary Wing

Army, Oct 2004

The RAH-66 Comanche Helicopter was being developed as the Army's next-generation helicopter designed to perform close combat, vertical maneuver and mobile strike operations. The program was cancelled in February 2004.

The UH-60 Black Hawk Helicopter is the Army's assault and utility helicopter. Three major variants exist. The UH or utility version of the helicopter provides general air assault and utility support. The MH version supports Special Forces roles and missions including a gunship variant identified as the MH-60 direct action penetrator (DAP). While the medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) mission is conducted currently on UH-60A model aircraft outfitted with mission kits, future MEDEVAC Black Hawks will have medical equipment integrated into the aircraft and will be designated HH series aircraft. As of April the Army's inventory of Black Hawks numbers 1,575 aircraft of all variants.

The Black Hawk is the primary helicopter for air assault, general support and aeromedical evacuation units. It has enhanced the overall mobility of the Army through its dramatic improvements in troop capacity and cargo-lift capability over the UH-IH Huey, which it replaced. An entire fully equipped, 11-man infantry squad can be lifted in one aircraft, faster and in more inclement weather conditions than in the Jluey, allowing ground commanders to quickly shift forces to increase battlefield operational tempo to overmatch the enemy's. The Black Hawk can also reposition a 105 mm howitzer, its crew of six and up to 30 rounds of ammunition in a single lift, allowing the rapid massing of overwhelming combat power.

The Black Hawk was designed with ease of maintenance and survivability in mind. The aircraft's critical components and systems are armored or redundant so that it can withstand multiple small-arms hits. In the event of a crash, its airframe progressively crushes on impact to protect the passengers and crew.

The Army began fielding the UH-60 in 1978, procuring UH-60A model aircraft into 1989. In that year, the Army upgraded the power train assemblies, resulting in the UH-60L model. UH-60L production began in October 1989 and will continue through 2006.

The follow-on to the UH-60L, the UH-6OM, takes advantage of existing aeronautical and digital technologies to recapitalize the fleet. Existing UH-60A/Ls will be recapitalized/upgraded into UH-60M aircraft that include a digital cockpit, airframe structural improvements and a propulsion upgrade. Immediate payoff is realized by maintaining the average fleet age at about 15 years, while reducing operations and support (O&S) costs. The O&S payback is a result of replacing the UH6OA engines and drive train (about 60 percent of the entire fleet) with a more reliable propulsion system. The new engine also provides significant lift capability improvement over the UH-60A and helps to offset the weight growth of added mission equipment. A fully integrated cockpit will allow the Black Hawk to operate on the digital battlefield and enhance system management while improving situational awareness. An improved flight control system, with a fully coupled flight director, will significantly reduce pilot workload.