Aviation Blog #5

The United States military is the most powerful in the world. The Army branch of the military makes use of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter as its front-line service aircraft. It is used for a wide variety of operations. Air assault, medical evacuation, and providing aerial cover for larger transport vessels.
Its capabilities include transport for 11 combat-ready air assault troops and a 105 mm howitzer with 30 rounds of ammunition.

It was first flown in October 1974 and was developed in part by the Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) program. Sikorsky and Boeing were the two competing companies selected to produce an aircraft to satisfy the requirements of the Army. Sikorsky ultimately won out in December of 1976.

Due to the high level of technology involved in producing a Black Hawk helicopter, when they are shot down or lost in combat, explosive charges that are found in the aircraft are detonated. This incinerates the helicopter to prevent the classified technology from falling into the hands of enemies.

The specifications of the Black Hawk helicopter are listed below:

Specifications:

Manufacturer	Sikorsky Aircraft
Performance	Max Cruise Speed
	4,000 ft; 95°F  152 knots
	2,000 ft; 70°F  159 knots
	SLS 155 knots
	VNE 193 knots
Vertical rate of Climb	95% MRP
	4,000 ft; 95°F  1,550 ft per minute
	2,000 ft; 70°F  2,750 ft per minute
	SLS > 3,000 ft per minute
Service Ceiling	(ISA day) 19,1510 ft
	Hover Ceiling MRP-OGE
	95°F  7,650 ft
	70°F  9,375 ft
	Standard Day 11,125 ft
Weight	Empty 11,516 Lbs
	Mission gross weight - 17,432 Lbs
	Maximum gross weight - 22,000 Lbs
	Maximum gross weight (ferry) - 24,500 Lbs
Length	64 ft 10 in
Height	16 ft 10 in
Rotor	Diameter 53 ft 8 in
	Four titanium and fiberglass blades Source: https://www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/ac/uh-60.htm