BLACK HAWK

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Sikorsky Aircraft’s versatile BLACK HAWK and its variants are the workhorse helicopters of the U.S. military, with more than 2,000 in service across all five branches. The ruggedness and survivability of the BLACK HAWK, combined with its multi-mission flexibility, have made it the world’s standard for medium-lift utility helicopters. Vought builds the cabin structure for the U.S. Army’s UH-60L and UH-60M, and the U.S. Navy’s MH-60S at its facility in Dallas, Texas.

Background

BLACK HAWK is one of the best and longest-living U.S. military programs. First flown in 1974, it is the rock-steady military veteran of 30 years. Sikorsky has delivered more than 3,000 H-60 variants to U.S. government and international customers since 1978. The aircraft has logged more than 6.5 million flying hours around the world, flying wherever duty calls on virtually any kind of mission.

The UH-60 was made to fly soldiers into combat. BLACK HAWK has built-in tolerance to small arms fire and most medium-caliber high-explosive projectiles. The helicopter includes specifically designed airframe and landing gear features for a high degree of battlefield survivability, ballistically hardened flight controls, redundant electrical and hydraulic systems, a self-sealing/crash-resistant fuel system, and energy-absorbing landing gear and crew seats.

The first UH-60A BLACK HAWK went into service with the Army in 1979, and the 500th was delivered in 1984. In 1989, with more than 900 UH-60As in service, the Army contracted with Sikorsky for an improved version, the UH-60L that it is still buying today. The UH-60L BLACK HAWK is a twin-turbine military helicopter that is cleared to 22,000 pounds gross weight for internal loads and can carry 9,000 pounds for external loads.

A third Army version is now in production at Vought, the UH-60M. With the M version, the BLACK HAWK now comes standard with a digital avionics suite. Vought delivered its
first UH60M cabin to Sikorsky in August 2007. The Army plans to buy more than 1,200
UH-60Ms in the next several years. 

U.S. Navy H-60 NAVAL HAWK derivatives have proved their worth in the War on Terrorism and, more recently, in carrying relief supplies to earthquake and tsunami survivors in South Asia. In addition to utility duties of hauling troops and cargo, the Navy makes extensive use of its MH-60S aircraft fleet for reconnaissance, anti-submarine, search and rescue, Medevac, and sea patrol duties.

Vought's Role

In January 2005, Vought officially entered the helicopter market by announcing its first BLACK HAWK contract with prime contractor Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. Three years later, Vought received a multi-year contract with Sikorsky to manufacture cabin structures for the UH-60L, M and MH-60S variants of BLACK HAWK helicopters. The estimated contract value is approximately $600 million for deliveries through 2012.

During peak production, Vought anticipates delivering 1,800 pounds of structure every two manufacturing days to Sikorsky in Stratford, Conn., for final assembly.  The cabin structure consists of approximately 3,600 parts made from aluminum, titanium and steel. Each cabin structure is approximately 19 feet long by 100 inches wide by 100 inches high.

Approximately 450 employees currently work on the BLACK HAWK program at Vought
in Dallas.