Sikorsky S-70

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