Austria to acquire New UH-60M Sikorsky Black Hawk Helicopters.

The Austrian Federal Ministry of Defense has announced the acquisition of twelve Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters as part of an agreement signed with the United States on June 30, 2024. Valued at 715 million euros, this procurement is conducted through the U.S. Army's Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The delivery of these helicopters is scheduled to begin in 2028, marking a significant renewal for the Austrian army's air fleet.
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Lockheed Martin UH-60M Sikorsky Black Hawk Helicopter (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

These new units will replace the Agusta Bell (AB212) helicopters, slated for retirement by the end of the decade. This update will increase Austria's Black Hawk fleet to a total of 24 helicopters, thereby bolstering its operational response capabilities in various scenarios. "With the purchase of the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, we are making significant progress in enhancing our operational capacity," stated Defense Minister Klaudia Tanner.

Produced since 2006, the UH-60M Black Hawks offer considerable improvements over earlier versions. Designed to excel in harsh conditions, including mountainous regions and extreme weather, these helicopters are particularly suited to meet Austria's geographical and climatic demands. They have a basic range of 590 kilometers, extendable to approximately 2,200 kilometers with additional fuel tanks, and can reach a maximum speed of 300 km/h with a ceiling of 6,000 meters.

The Black Hawk's versatility includes troop and equipment transport, medical rescue missions, evacuation operations, special forces deployments, parachuting, and aerial firefighting. This diversity of applications highlights their crucial role in enhancing Austria's defense capabilities and rapid response capacity.

The Austrian Federal Army is not new to using Black Hawks, having operated the S-70A-42 variant since 2002 and integrated three used machines from the U.S. Army. These recent additions to the fleet signify a major step in the continuous modernization of the Austrian armed forces, ensuring an enhanced ability to efficiently meet future defense and security needs.

The UH-60M is widely used by the U.S. Army and internationally, with various countries adopting this model in different configurations, such as the MH-60 for special operations, the HH-60 for combat search and rescue, and the UH-60V upgrade package for older models. This adaptability allows the UH-60M to perform in various mission scenarios, including direct combat, humanitarian aid, and disaster relief efforts.

The UH-60M model, which is the latest version of the Black Hawk helicopter series, began development in the early 2000s and had its first flight in September 2003. Initial low-rate production started in 2005, and full-rate production was approved in December 2007 following successful evaluations. The UH-60M incorporates modernized systems and enhancements, designed for various military operations. It features a digital cockpit with four multifunction displays, a fully coupled four-axis autopilot, and advanced avionics to enhance situational awareness and operational efficiency. The helicopter is powered by upgraded T700-GE-701D engines, providing increased power and lift capability, suitable for missions including troop transport, logistical support, medical evacuation, and special operations.

Key features of the UH-60M include improved rotor blades for enhanced lift and performance compared to earlier models. The helicopter is equipped with advanced flight control systems, including a fly-by-wire system, to improve maneuverability and stability in challenging conditions. Additionally, the UH-60M has a crashworthy and ballistically tolerant fuel system and airframe, designed to increase survivability for the crew and passengers in hostile environments. This model integrates lessons from decades of operational use and combat experience.

The UH-60M Black Hawk is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-701D engines, each providing a maximum power output of 2,000 shaft horsepower. The helicopter features wide-chord composite spar main rotor blades for increased lift capability. Its maximum gross weight is 9,979 kg, and it can carry an external load of up to 4,100 kg. The UH-60M has a top speed of 294 km/h and a range of approximately 320 nautical miles (590 km) without refueling. Its advanced avionics suite includes a fully digitized cockpit with four multifunction displays, a dual digital automatic flight control system, and an integrated vehicle health management system (IVHMS).