Mission:
Provide air assault, general support, aeromedical evacuation, command and control and special operations support to combat and stability and support operations.

Entered Army Service:
1979

Description:
The UH 60 Blackhawk is a utility tactical transport helicopter that replaces the UH-1 "Huey". The versatile Blackhawk has enhanced the overall mobility of The Army, due to dramatic improvements in troop capacity and cargo lift capability, and will serve as The Army's utility helicopter in the Objective Force. On the asymmetric battlefield, it provides the commander the agility to get to the fight quicker and to mass effects throughout the battlespace across the full spectrum of conflict. An entire 11-person, fully-equipped infantry squad can be lifted in a single Blackhawk, transported faster than in predecessor systems, in most weather conditions. The Blackhawk can reposition a 105mm Howitzer, its crew of six, and lift up to 30 rounds of ammunition in a single lift.  The aircraft's critical components and systems are armored or redundant, and its airframe is designed to progressively crush on impact to protect the crew and passengers. 

Specifications:                  UH-60A                                          UH-60L
Mass gross weight:        20,250 lbs                              22,000 lbs, 23,500 (external cargo)
Cruise speed:                       139 kt                                          150 kt
Endurance:                           2.3 hrs                                          2.1 hrs
Max range:                           320 nm                                          306 nm
External load:                     8000 lbs                                       9000 lbs
Internal load:   2640 lbs (or 11 combat-equipped troops)
Crew:   4 (2 pilots; 2 crew chiefs)
Armament:   Two 7.62mm machine guns

Manufacturer:
United Technologies (Stratford, CT); General Electric (Lynn, MA) 

(U.S. Army Photo)