U.S. Task Force Ranger used MH-60L Black Hawks during the October 1993 Battle of Mogadishu; Army coverage records two Black Hawks downed during the operation.
Aircraft & UAVs
Black Hawk helicopter
Also known as
- UH-60 Black Hawk
- UH/HH-60
- UH-60M Black Hawk
- UH-60A Black Hawk
- UH-60L Black Hawk
- UH-60V Black Hawk
- YUH-60A
- Sikorsky S-70A
- Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk
- S-70A Black Hawk
- Sikorsky H-60
- S-70 Black Hawk
- S-70i Black Hawk
- S-70M Black Hawk
- Pave Hawk
- HH-60 Pave Hawk
- HH-60G Pave Hawk
- MH-60L Direct Action Penetrator
The Black Hawk is Sikorsky's twin-engine medium-lift military utility helicopter family, developed from the U.S. Army's 1972 UTTAS requirement and fielded from 1978-79. The cataloged family covers utility, special-operations, armed, and HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue variants, with directly documented use from the 1993 Battle of Mogadishu to NATO combat search and rescue over Kosovo, U.S.-led operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, and Ukrainian Defence Intelligence Black Hawk missions during the Russia-Ukraine war.
Role in Conflicts
- Side
- NATO
HH-60G Pave Hawks provided NATO combat search-and-rescue coverage during Operation Allied Force and recovered two isolated U.S. Air Force pilots.
U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk crews from Task Force Warhawk operated near Kandahar in 2017 while supporting U.S. Forces Afghanistan under Operation Freedom's Sentinel and NATO's Resolute Support mission.
Role detailsHH-60G Pave Hawk crews supported Operation Iraqi Freedom personnel recovery, including the April 2004 Jolly 11/Jolly 12 rescue of five U.S. Army personnel near Kharbut, Iraq.
Role details- Side
- Ukraine
Ukraine's Defence Intelligence reports Black Hawk helicopters performing combat and specialized tasks, including cargo and personnel movement, electronic-warfare support, and casualty evacuation.
Role detailsProfile / Specs
Profile
- Origin
- United States
- Built by
- Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
- Type
- Medium-lift military utility helicopter family
- Service note
- 1970s-present
- Designer
- Sikorsky Aircraft
- Designed
- 1972-1976
- Produced
- 1976-present
- Number built
- Over 5,000 delivered
Specifications
- Rotor system
- Four-blade main rotor and four-blade tail rotor
- Powerplant
- Two General Electric T700 turboshaft engines
- Troop capacity
- 11 combat troops on the UH-60M
- S-70i utility load
- 2 pilots, 2 cabin crew, and 12 troops in the PZL Mielec utility configuration
- External cargo hook capacity
- 9,000 lb on the UH-60L
- S-70i maximum takeoff weight
- 22,000 lb / 9,979 kg
- S-70i maximum cruise speed
- 296 km/h at standard day, sea level
- S-70i maximum range
- 578 km without reserve or additional tanks; up to 2,300 km with additional tanks depending on configuration
- Army mission roles
- Air assault, general support, aeromedical evacuation, command and control, and special operations support
- Mission support
- ESSS stub wings can carry external fuel tanks and a wide variety of weapon systems
- Performance
- UH-60L first production model cruise speed of 152 knots at 4,000 ft and 95 degrees F
Utility Airframe Profile
The Black Hawk family is built around a twin-engine utility airframe that can shift between air assault, general support, medical evacuation, command and control, special operations, rescue, and armed external-stores configurations.
Mission set
Army material lists air assault, general support, aeromedical evacuation, command and control, and special-operations support as core UH/HH-60 missions.
Sources: UH/HH-60 BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER | Army; Utility Helicopter UH-60M | Army.
Squad lift
The UH/HH-60M profile gives 11 fully equipped troops at a 22,000 lb maximum gross weight for the utility version.
Source: Utility Helicopter UH-60M | Army.
Modernization path
Army and Sikorsky sources separate the UH-60M digital-networked model, UH-60V cockpit recapitalization, and T901 Improved Turbine Engine upgrade lane.
Sources: UH/HH-60 BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER | Army; Utility Helicopter UH-60M | Army; Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60M Black Hawk Family | Sikorsky Archives.
S-70 Export Line
PZL Mielec presents the S-70 Black Hawk as the Polish-built export branch of the UH-60M Black Hawk family. That distinction matters for the S-70/S-70i name because the catalog page also covers U.S. Army UH-60 and Air Force HH-60 service variants.
Export identity
PZL Mielec identifies the S-70 Black Hawk as the Polish-made export variant of the UH-60M Black Hawk.
Source: S-70 Black Hawk | PZL Mielec.
Published deliveries
The company says S-70 deliveries from Mielec began in 2010 and had reached almost 130 helicopters in multiple configurations for customers in 11 countries.
Source: S-70 Black Hawk | PZL Mielec.
Configuration range
PZL describes armed, medevac, VIP, border-protection, search-and-rescue, firefighting, external-lift, and combat-assault configurations for the export line.
Source: S-70 Black Hawk | PZL Mielec.
Variants
The Black Hawk page covers the land-based Sikorsky H-60/S-70 utility family. UH rows are Army utility models, HH rows are rescue or medical-evacuation variants, MH rows are special-operations variants, and S-70/S-70i rows identify international Black Hawk models.
| Variant | Configuration | Designation notes |
|---|---|---|
| UH-60A | Original Army utility production model | Sikorsky Archives identifies the UH-60A as the first production Black Hawk model, delivered to the Army in 1978 and entering 101st Airborne Division service in June 1979. Sources: Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60A Black Hawk | Sikorsky Archives |
| UH-60L | Uprated Army utility model | Sikorsky Archives describes the UH-60L as the first major upgrade of the basic Black Hawk, begun in 1987 and delivered from 1989 with higher power and external-load capability. Sources: Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60L Black Hawk Family | Sikorsky Archives |
| UH-60M | Modernized Army utility model | Sikorsky Archives says the UH-60M added new structures and systems, more lift and range, improved handling, enhanced readiness, and an integrated digital cockpit. Sources: Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60M Black Hawk Family | Sikorsky Archives |
| UH-60V | UH-60L cockpit recapitalization | The Army identified the UH-60V as an approved development path, while Sikorsky Archives describes it as a UH-60L recapitalization with UH-60M cockpit functionality. Sources: UH/HH-60 BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER | Army, Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60M Black Hawk Family | Sikorsky Archives |
| HH-60M | Army medical-evacuation model | Sikorsky Archives says HH-60M deliveries to Army Air Ambulance Companies began in 2008 as part of the UH-60M/HH-60M production family. Sources: Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60M Black Hawk Family | Sikorsky Archives |
| MH-60M | Special-operations model | Sikorsky Archives records U.S. Special Operations Command receiving new-build MH-60Ms with YT706 engines and Common Avionics Architecture System equipment. Sources: Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60M Black Hawk Family | Sikorsky Archives |
| HH-60G | Air Force combat search-and-rescue model | The Air Force fact sheet identifies the HH-60G Pave Hawk as a modified Black Hawk used for personnel recovery in hostile conditions. Sources: HH-60G Pave Hawk | Air Force |
| MH-60K | Army special-operations model | Sikorsky Archives identifies the MH-60K as a Black Hawk variant for Army Special Operations Command developed late in the UH-60A production run and upgraded during UH-60L production. Sources: Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60A Black Hawk | Sikorsky Archives |
 | Armed special-operations Black Hawk variant | Sikorsky Archives describes MH-60L DAP Black Hawks carrying external-wing weapons and records Black Hawk armed demonstrator work that led into direct-action configurations. |
| S-70i | International Black Hawk model | Sikorsky Archives says Sikorsky Mielec delivered its first S-70i in 2011 and that it was built with UH-60M structures, systems, and performance; PZL Mielec identifies the S-70 Black Hawk as the Polish-made export variant of the UH-60M line. Sources: Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60M Black Hawk Family | Sikorsky Archives, S-70 Black Hawk | PZL Mielec |
| S-70M | Civil-certified international Black Hawk model | Sikorsky Archives identifies the S-70M as the civil-certified form of the Polish-built S-70i family and the basis for the Sikorsky Fire Hawk. Sources: Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60M Black Hawk Family | Sikorsky Archives |
Carried Munitions
Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky sources document Black Hawk external wings carrying rocket pods, Hellfire missiles, DAGR missiles, and Stinger missiles.
| Carried item | Item type | Carriage evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Rocket pod | Lockheed Martin says armed Black Hawk external wings can carry a 19-shot Hydra-70 rocket pod. Sources: Adaptable Weapons Kit for International BLACK HAWK Helicopter | Lockheed Martin |
 | Guided rocket | Lockheed Martin says armed Black Hawk external wings can carry a mix of Hellfire and DAGR air-to-ground missiles. Sources: Adaptable Weapons Kit for International BLACK HAWK Helicopter | Lockheed Martin |
 | Air-to-surface missile family | Lockheed Martin says armed Black Hawk external wings can carry Hellfire air-to-ground missiles. Sources: Adaptable Weapons Kit for International BLACK HAWK Helicopter | Lockheed Martin |
 | Air-defense missile | Sikorsky Archives says MH-60L DAP Black Hawks carried Stinger missiles on external wings, and a Black Hawk demonstrator was shown with Hellfire and Stinger missiles. |
Firing Weapons
| Ammunition | Ammunition type | Firing evidence |
|---|---|---|
 | Air-to-surface guided missile | Sikorsky Archives says Army Nightstalkers test-fired a Maverick missile from a Black Hawk. |
Timeline
Black Hawk helicopter Key Events
UTTAS requirement launched
The Army sought a simple, robust, reliable utility helicopter to meet projected air-mobile requirements around the world.
Sources: Black Hawk Helicopter celebrates 40 years with the Army | Army
YUH-60A first flight
Sikorsky Archives records the first Black Hawk flight on October 17, 1974, during the UTTAS prototype program.
Sources: Sikorsky S-70 UTTAS Prototype | Sikorsky Archives
Sikorsky selected for UH-60A production
After YUH-60A and YUH-61A flight testing, the Army awarded Sikorsky the initial-rate UH-60A production contract and the helicopter was renamed Black Hawk.
Sources: Sikorsky S-70 UTTAS Prototype | Sikorsky Archives
First production aircraft accepted
The Army accepted the first production UH-60A Black Hawk in 1978.
Sources: Black Hawk Helicopter celebrates 40 years with the Army | Army
Army service begins
The Black Hawk entered service with Army aviation units in 1979.
Sources: Black Hawk Helicopter celebrates 40 years with the Army | Army
UH-60L development begins
Sikorsky and the Army began the UH-60L upgrade to restore performance lost to weight growth in the earlier A model.
Sources: Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60L Black Hawk Family | Sikorsky Archives
UH-60L production starts
The first UH-60L was delivered to the Army, adding more power and an external cargo hook capacity of 9,000 pounds.
Sources: Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60L Black Hawk Family | Sikorsky Archives
Battle of Mogadishu
Army anniversary coverage says two MH-60L Black Hawk helicopters were downed during the Task Force Ranger operation in Mogadishu, Somalia.
Sources: Remembering a golden legacy: The Battle of Mogadishu 25 years later
Operation Allied Force
The Air Force fact sheet says Pave Hawks provided continuous combat search and rescue coverage for NATO air forces during Operation Allied Force and recovered two isolated Air Force pilots.
Sources: HH-60G Pave Hawk | Air Force
Jolly 11 and Jolly 12 rescue in Iraq
The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force records HH-60G Pave Hawk crews rescuing five U.S. Army personnel after a helicopter crash near Kharbut, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sources: HH-60G Pave Hawk | National Museum of the USAF
Ukraine confirms Black Hawk combat tasking
Ukraine's Defence Intelligence stated that its Black Hawk helicopters remained operational and that their crews continued combat and specialized tasks.
Sources: DIU Black Hawk Helicopter Crews Continue Combat Mission
Program reaches 50 years from first flight
The Sikorsky archives note the Black Hawk's first flight on October 17, 1974, and more than 5,000 deliveries to customers.
Sources: Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60L Black Hawk Family | Sikorsky Archives
Media
Black Hawk helicopter Videos
Black Hawk helicopter Images
Related Weapon Systems
Sources
Black Hawk Helicopter celebrates 40 years with the Army | ArmyPublisher: United States Army | Note: Supports Black Hawk service role, Army mission set, and 1979 entry into service. | Accessed: 2026-07-0440 years of aviation service: The Black Hawk helicopter | ArmyPublisher: United States Army | Note: Supports Black Hawk background as the Army's front line utility helicopter and its 1972 development requirement. | Accessed: 2026-07-04UH/HH-60 BLACK HAWK HELICOPTER | ArmyPublisher: United States Army | Note: Supports Army UH/HH-60 mission roles and the UH-60A, UH-60L, UH-60M, and UH-60V variant distinction. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Utility Helicopter UH-60M | ArmyPublisher: United States Army | Note: Supports UH/HH-60M mission roles, 11-troop utility transport capacity, 22,000-pound maximum gross weight, digital-networked platform context, and T901 Improved Turbine Engine modernization. | Accessed: 2026-07-06S-70 BLACK HAWK Helicopter - Lockheed MartinPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports S-70 Black Hawk family background and official product context for the export helicopter line. | Accessed: 2026-07-04S-70 Black Hawk | PZL MielecPublisher: PZL Mielec | Note: Supports S-70 export identity, Polish production context, deliveries from Mielec, configuration range, survivability features, 12-troop utility load, cargo hook load, and technical data for the S-70i/S-70 export line. | Accessed: 2026-07-07S-70 Black Hawk Technical Data | PZL MielecPublisher: PZL Mielec | Note: Supports S-70i technical data including T700-GE-701D engines, 22,000-pound maximum takeoff gross weight, utility crew and troop configuration, cruise speed, range, fuel configurations, and customization options. | Accessed: 2026-07-07Sikorsky S-70 UTTAS Prototype | Sikorsky ArchivesPublisher: Igor I Sikorsky Historical Archives | Note: Supports YUH-60A prototype development, the October 17, 1974 first flight, and the December 23, 1976 Army selection of Sikorsky for UH-60A production. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60A Black Hawk | Sikorsky ArchivesPublisher: Igor I Sikorsky Historical Archives | Note: Supports UH-60A identity, first production delivery, June 1979 service entry, early medevac and special-operations variants, and ESSS weapons carriage context. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60M Black Hawk Family | Sikorsky ArchivesPublisher: Igor I Sikorsky Historical Archives | Note: Supports UH-60M, HH-60M, MH-60M, UH-60V, S-70i, and S-70M variant background plus UH-60M troop capacity, T700-GE-701D engines, lift, range, and digital-cockpit improvements. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Adaptable Weapons Kit for International BLACK HAWK Helicopter | Lockheed MartinPublisher: Lockheed Martin | Note: Supports Black Hawk external wings carrying a 19-shot Hydra-70 rocket pod and a mix of Hellfire and DAGR air-to-ground missiles. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Sikorsky Archives newsletter (NEWS-2019-01)Publisher: Igor I Sikorsky Historical Archives | Note: Supports Black Hawk carriage of Stinger missiles on external wings and a Black Hawk test-firing AGM-65 Maverick. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Sikorsky S-70A: UH-60L Black Hawk Family | Sikorsky ArchivesPublisher: Igor I Sikorsky Historical Archives | Note: Supports Black Hawk development history, production history, rotor system, engines, and 9,000-pound external cargo capacity. | Accessed: 2026-07-04UH-60A Black Hawk.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a public-domain UH-60A Black Hawk photo. | Accessed: 2026-07-04US Army UH-60 Black Hawk (2052956641).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a public-domain U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk photo over Iraq. | Accessed: 2026-07-04A front ground view of the UH-60 Black Hawk (Blackhawk) helicopter equipped with an external stores support system (ESSS) - DPLA - 5aa4e597d4222b1cd7237296bb1a453e.jpegPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a public-domain UH-60 Black Hawk photo showing the ESSS fit. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Remembering a golden legacy: The Battle of Mogadishu 25 years laterPublisher: United States Army | Note: Directly documents U.S. Task Force Ranger MH-60L Black Hawk involvement in the Battle of Mogadishu and the loss of two Black Hawks during the 1991 Somali Civil War. | Accessed: 2026-07-04The U.S. Army in Somalia, 1992-1994Publisher: U.S. Army Center of Military History | Note: Supports 1991 Somali Civil War direct use: U.S. Army Black Hawks operated during the UNOSOM-era Mogadishu fighting, including the October 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. | Accessed: 2026-07-06Photo Essay: Task Force Warhawk Mission in Kandahar ProvincePublisher: United States Army | Note: Directly documents UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters used by U.S. Army crews in the 2001 War in Afghanistan near Kandahar under Operation Freedom's Sentinel and Resolute Support. | Accessed: 2026-07-04HH-60G Pave Hawk | Air ForcePublisher: United States Air Force | Note: Supports HH-60G Pave Hawk mission, features, and direct Operation Allied Force combat search-and-rescue use by NATO forces. | Accessed: 2026-07-04HH-60G Pave Hawk (2164129069).jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a public-domain HH-60G Pave Hawk photo from Operation Iraqi Freedom training in Iraq. | Accessed: 2026-07-04HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter operated by the 56th Rescue Squadron.jpgPublisher: Wikimedia Commons | Note: Image provenance and licensing page for a public-domain HH-60G Pave Hawk photo in Air Force rescue service. | Accessed: 2026-07-04HH-60G Pave Hawk | National Museum of the USAFPublisher: National Museum of the United States Air Force | Note: Supports HH-60G Pave Hawk rescue equipment and documents HH-60G Pave Hawks used by U.S. Air Force crews in the 2003 Iraq War for Operation Iraqi Freedom personnel recovery near Kharbut, Iraq. | Accessed: 2026-07-04Black Hawk for Defence Intelligence UkrainePublisher: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine | Note: Directly documents Ukrainian Defence Intelligence Black Hawk use for combat and special tasks, cargo and personnel delivery, electronic warfare, and wounded evacuation in the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War. | Accessed: 2026-07-04DIU Black Hawk Helicopter Crews Continue Combat MissionPublisher: Defence Intelligence of Ukraine | Note: Directly documents Ukrainian Defence Intelligence Black Hawk helicopters continuing combat and specialized tasks during the 2014 Russia-Ukraine War. | Accessed: 2026-07-04