The Israeli air force could reconsider a proposal to arm its Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters after a cut in the number of Boeing AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters being acquired by the country. The armed UH-60 is being proposed by Sikorsky, Elbit Systems and Rafael.
The air force is still evaluating the performance of the Apache in the recent conflict in Lebanon. "The war was against guerrilla fighters and there are pointed advantages and disadvantages of a combat helicopter in the different scenarios," says an Israeli source.
The armed Black Hawk would have command and control and early warning systems, and an air-to-ground missile such as the Rafael Spike-ER.
Source: Flight International
