Sikorsky details Black Hawk upgrade program as U.S. services extend service life
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The U.S. Army has formally announced plans to operate Black Hawk helicopters through 2050 and possibly as late as 2070, while the U.S. Navy intends to keep its MH-60R/S fleet flying at least until 2040, and the U.S. Air Force continues to field its new Combat Rescue Helicopter.
Sikorsky’s Black Hawk Next program proposes four upgrade categories— a GE Aerospace T901 engine, airframe enhancements, a new digital backbone and autonomy upgrades— and introduces a modular nose for flexible sensor and avionics mounting; airframe changes will expand internal fuel tanks without reducing cabin space and strengthen the structure to support a larger payload, with the T901 integration expected to add roughly 1,000 lb of payload, extend range by about 100 nm and provide an additional 45 minutes on station, after more than 70 hours of test flights using the improved turbine engine.