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MH-60K Blackhawk
Report : Chems
The MH-60 Blackhawk is
the US Military troop insertion Vehicle
of choice. Used in the Special Operations
role mainly for inserting small squads
of men behind enemy lines. The Blackhawk
is a very versatile aircraft and is not
only available in the troop transport mod
but also in transport of supplies and as
an attack aircraft. The 160th SOAR operate
3versions of the Blackhawk, the MH-60K,
MH-60L and MH-60L DAP. (Direct Action Penetrator)
Secondary missions of the MH-60 include
external load, CSAR and MEDEVAC operations.
The MH-60 is capable of operating from
fixed base facilities, remote sites, or
ocean going vessels.
The MH-60 Special operations version has been upgraded with
advanced integrated cockpit, upgraded engines and transmissions,
forward looking infrared (FLIR), terrain following/terrain
avoidance (TF/TA) radar, additional internal fuel tanks,
ATAS, external tank system (ETS), upgraded door guns, upgraded
navigation and communication systems, integrated aviation
support equipment (ASE), external rescue hoist, and a folding
stabilizer. It has an air-refueling capability which allows
it to drop troops far into enemy territory in bad weather
conditions.
The MH-60 is ran by a crew of 4, 2 Pilots, 1 Flight engineer
and 1 Gunner. The MH-60 is one part of the US Special Operations
Command (SOCOM) target of creating an integrated fighting
force that can fight a combined war between land, air and
sea. The MH-60 allows crack troops like Green Berets to move
drop into one place then be extracted again before the enemy
knows there. The ability for troops to be able to call in
close air support to extract them is a vital asset of current
US Special Operations groups. A good example of this capability
is shown in the Blackhawk down situation in Somalia, Blackhawks
provided close air support and the ability to drop Delta
Sniper teams into the crash sites, a capability only dreamed
of by commanders in past wars.
The downside to the Blackhawk is its ease to shoot down with
a MANPAD missile system. A Mach 3 Missile is very hard for
a chopper pilot to avoid and the Blackhawk makes its self
a big target when its having to come low to pick up or deploy
troops. This is why Special Operation Teams are often inserted
at night in the Blackhawk because it is hard to see and its
non-directional rotor blade makes it hard for a un aided
person to tell which direction the aircraft is coming from.
Of course the Blackhawk is not undefended, an attack would
have to be brave indeed to show himself to either of the
flanks of the helicopter which are protected by 7.62 Miniguns
firing either 2000 or 4000 rnds per minute. The Blackhawk
also has Kevlar armour to protect vital areas such as the
electronics, engines and the cockpit which has bullet proof
glass capable of stopping 7.62 ammunition. Its armour can
stop high explosive rounds and 23mm rounds as well. The flight
controls are armoured and the electric and hydraulic systems
can be lost with out major consequence to the aircraft. The
fuel system is crash resistant and self sealing, the body
can absorb high impacts from a crash and the seats are designed
to absorb energy.
To comply with the integrated battle field target of a combined
system the Blackhawk has a voice and data communications
suite including VHF, UHF communications, an identification
friend or foe (IFF) transponder, secure voice communications,
satellite communications and an intercom system.
The Blackhawk is a work horse of the modern US Army and is
a very adaptable and upgradeable aircraft as the MH-60K has
shown. Its life in the US Military's service does not look
set to be concluded any time in the near future, specially
seen as its part of the integrated battlefield technologies.
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