Designed to replace the venerable Bell
Huey series , the S-70 had not yet the export success of them but 2000
Hawks were built by 1994.
The YUH-60 was the winner of the 1972 's US Army UTTAS program (
Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System ) against the Boeing Vertol
YUH-61 for a new helicopter that contemplate the Vietnam era lessons.
Configured in more than 10 different versions for the US armed forces,
had became more famous every day since 1978 when the first unit was
given to the US Army.
UH-60A
Crew: 3 + 11
Engines: 2 x GE T700-GE-700 of 1500 shp each
Speed: 265 km/h Max: 296
Service Ceiling: 5790 m
Range: 600 km
Weight: Empty: 4944 kg -- Max: 9185
Rotor Span: 16.36 m
Length: 19.76 m
Height: 5.13 m
Disc Area: 210 m2
Programme:
1972: US Army UTTAS program begun
1974, Oct 17: YUH-60 First flight
1976, Dec 26: Declared winner against YUH-61 after 7 months of
competitive tests
1977, Sep: S-70B wins US Navy LAMPS III competition
1978, Oct: First flight of production aircraft UH-60A
1979, Dec 12: SH-60B First flight
1981: EH-60 QuickFix program begun
1984, Feb 4: HH-60 Nighthawk First flight
1986, Sep: HH-60J USCG Jayhawk First flight
1989, Oct: UH-60L, engines upgrade and ESSS capable
1994, May 5: Hawk (S-70 family) number 2000 take off
US Navy Seahawks
The Seahawks for the US Navy come in three versions, SH-60B, SH-60F,and
HH-60H.
The SH-60B was the first of the bunch and can be distinguished by its
surface search radar underneath the cockpit, between the wheels. Also
all SH60B's have a sonobouy launcher on the left side that looks like a
five by five set of tubes. SH60Bs are used off cruisers and destroyers
for antisubmarine warfare and surface search and surveillance.
The SH-60F is the next in line and is the carrier based version of the
Seahawk. It has a dipping sonar (unique in the Seahawk family), it is
used to find submarines. It is also the "slickest" of the group having
very little things sticking out of it. It has no surface search radar
or side mounted sonobouy launcher. It is most often confused with the B
model, not the H.
The HH-60H is the final version. It has the two sliding windows on the
left side. It also has the special HRSS nozzles on the exhaust to
reduce heat signature. Some times, the HH-60H can be seen with a nose
mounted FLIR ball and HELLFIRE missiles. It is used for Cargo, Combat
Search and Rescue, and other missions.
Currently the US Navy is buying the SH-60R (remanufactured SH-60B/F)
and CH-60S (new ones, now renamed the MH-60S Knighthawk) which will
eventually replace the three models.
US Air Force HH/MH-60G Pavehawks
There is (was) virtually no difference between the MH-60G Pave Hawk and
the HH-60G Pave Hawk with a few minor exceptions. The biggest
difference (and determining factor in the designation) is the command
that they were assigned to. The 10 MH-60G's were assigned to AF Special
Operations Command (AFSOC) and hence the "MH" designation for "multi
mission". The MH-60G's also had a different paint scheme -- a dark gray
similar to the other AFSOC aircraft like the MH-53J/L Pave Low and the
MC-130's. The remaining HH-60G's were assigned to rescue duties with
Air Combat Command (ACC) and painted woodland camouflage.
The other minor
differences are that the MH-60G's had "Sea Hawk" windows long before
the HH-60G's, the (former) MH-60G's all have rotor breaks, and they
have windshield washer reservoirs and motors. When the USAF had both
designations in service, there was only one Operator's Manual ("Dash
1") and it was for the "MH/HH-60G Pave Hawk". With the closing of the
only AFSOC MH-60G unit in the late 90's, the MH-60G's were transferred
to ACC, painted woodland camo, and redesignated HH-60Gs. The USAF
currently has no MH-60G Pave Hawks in service -- they are all now
HH-60G Pave Hawks... though that may change with the move of ALL
HH-60G's to AFSOC on October 2003.
S-70 US military
variants
YUH-60A |
UTTAS Prototype |
UH-60A Black Hawk |
US Army final designation
|
UH-60A Pot Hawk |
Model for US Custom for anti-drug
surveillance |
UH-60A Credible Hawk
|
SAR Model for US Air Force
|
GUH-60A |
Simulator without flight capacity
|
JUH-60A |
Model constructed for evaluations and
tests |
YEH-60A |
US Army prototype for electronic warfare (ECM) |
EH-60A |
ECM variant |
HH-60A |
Prototype for USAF (single model 82-23718)
|
MH-60A |
First special operations Blackhawk, was a
standard UH-60 with many improvements |
VH-60A |
first UH-60 VIP variant |
UH-60B |
Improved engines and avionics; not built
but incorporated into the UH-60L |
YEH-60B |
UH-60A for targets acquisition, prototype
|
SH-60B Sea Hawk |
Model for US Navy (sea above)
|
EH-60C |
ECM version for US Army (66 built)
|
HH-60D Night Hawk |
Combat SAR model for US Air Force
(cancelled) |
CH-60E |
Proposed assault helicopter for US Marines
(cancelled) |
SH-60F Sea Hawk |
Model for US Navy (sea above)
|
MH-60G Pave Hawk |
USAF; combat SAR and special operations,
equipped with a drogue and a FLIR turret |
HH-60G Pave Hawk |
USAF; similar to MH-60G optimised for SAR
(see above) |
HH-60H Sea Hawk |
Model for US Navy (sea above)
|
HH-60J Jay Hawk |
US Coast Guard for SAR functions
|
UH-60J |
Japanese model similar to UH-60L with SAR
functions, constructed under licence in Japan |
MH-60K |
US Army; similar to MH-60G, but with a
better equipment |
AH-60L |
gunship for US Army |
UH-60L |
Improved model of UH-60A, see UH-60B
|
VH-60N White Hawk |
US President; equipped with improved
avionics and communication system |
UH-60P |
Model for Southern Korea
|
UH-60Q |
Dust-off Hawk Medical model
|
|