A transport helicopter that entered service with the IAF in 1994 and serves for rescue and evacuation of wounded as well as tactical assault transport missions. Its high maneuverability and survivability, strong engines and high cargo carry capacity make it the optimal helicopter for complex and difficult rescue and transport missions.

Besides the USA, the Black Hawk is used by many of the world's air forces, including those of Japan (where it is assembled, at the Mitsubishi plant), Australia, China, Spain, Colombia (where it is used for hunting down drug smugglers), Jordan (where it served as King Hussein's personal helicopter) and many others.

The UH-60 Blackhawk has very impressive survival abilities. It includes energy absorbing front and aft landing gears and cockpit seats, special installments which prevent the main rotor and the engines from entering the cargo bay in the case of a crash, and a double fuel feeding system. The fuselage is designed to survive crash loads of up to 20 G, and a special installment immediately seals the fuel tanks and feeding systems upon impact, to prevent the start of a fire.

The blackhawk is able to side-maneuver in an angle of 110 degrees - a feat thought impossible for helicopters until its development. This is achieved through the use of two General Electric T700 engines, each rated at 3,000 hp - 40% more then the Bell 212, for example. Its many navigational systems - Doppler, auto-pilot, radar operated alt. Meter and various communications systems - render it capable of full instrument flight. Those advanced systems enable the Blackhawk to fly under almost every condition and in any weather. Its rotors are designed to prevent frost forming on them - and the cockpit has hot-air dispensers to prevent the same phenomena from occuring on its front glass shield.

The UH-60A is the basic model, first purchased by the US Army and then by several other countries. In 1990 it was replaced by the UH-60L, which is equipped with more powerful engines and improved avionics. The US Army purchased 934 helicopters of both models, and they still serve as its standard medium range transport and assault helicopters.

Another version of the Blackhawk, dubbed MH-60G "Pave Hawk", was purchased by the US Airforce for its Special Forces units. It has ESSS hard points, aerial refueling capabilities, FLIR night-vision systems, and the ability to launch Stinger anti-aircraft missiles. The Air Force purchased 60 of the Pave Hawk model, which joined its 18 Blackhawks already serving.

The US Navy purchased 170 SH-60B/F Sea-Hawks, developed specifically for purposes of anti submarine warfare. The US Coastguard operates 35 HH-60J models, used in Search & Rescue missions. Sikorsky manufactured several other models: The special VIP version VH-60K, used to ferry the US President; The AH-60L attack-model used by the Special Forces and armed with missiles and cannon-packs; and the MH-60K - the most advanced version for troop transport deep behind enemy lines.

The Black Hawk's first visit

In 1983, an IAF test crew checked out the Black Hawk as a potential replacement for the 'Anafa' Bell-212. The Black Hawk came to Israel by direct flight, with several midair refuelings on the way. Along with it came two pilots, a flight mechanic and instructors. It was subjected to thorough testing, and its performance examined in all possible altitudes and terrains, and on the entire range of missions for which the IAF uses its assault helicopters. Each one of the test pilots carried out a number of introductory flights, and these were followed by the actual test flights, which encompassed over 40 flight hours in 61 sorties. The test crew's recommendation was positive; they were in favor of purchasing the Black Hawk.

The first Black Hawks join the IAF's ranks

Over a decade after the initial decision in favor of the Black Hawk, in August 1994, the IAF received its first ten Black Hawks, which received the Hebrew nickname 'Yanshuf' ('Owl'). The helicopters were flown to Israel in two American Galaxy transports, five in each Galaxy. The Black Hawks were a gift from the American administration. They had been manufactured in the years 1977 to 1979, and had been retired from active service in the US Army three weeks before their arrival in Israel. In the months that followed their arrival, the Black Hawks were modified to Israeli configuration specs and retrofitted with a number of advanced systems. Together with the 'Anafa' Bell-212s, the Black Hawks carry out assault transport, evacuation and rescue missions.

Operation 'Grapes of Wrath'

Operation 'Grapes of Wrath', which began on April 11th 1996, was the first time the Black Hawks saw wartime action in the IAF, almost two years into their service. They successfully carried out a wide range of operations, some at night and in adverse weather.

The IAF purchases more Black Hawks

In the course of 1998, the IAF acquired additional Black Hawks from Sikorsky, which had modified some of the systems in accordance with the IAF's specifications. The modifications were mostly in the communications systems and the electronic warfare systems.

A new Black Hawk squadron

In the year 2000 another purchase deal was signed with Sikorsky, in which the IAF acquired 24 additional Black Hawks. The new Black Hawks are almost identical in form to the improved Black Hawks which the IAF acquired in 1998. At the beginning of August 2002 the first five helicopters arrived in Israel, and on August 8th a new Black Hawk squadron was formally opened.