The Israeli air force and Sikorsky are to jointly develop an armed version of the US company’s UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter. Israel will not commit itself to converting its existing UH-60 fleet to the enhanced standard or to purchase the new version of the aircraft, but says it will be a preferred option for future procurement.
The air force will determine the optimal configuration for the conversion and supply one of its aircraft for use as a prototype. Sikorsky is to select an Israeli partner to convert the platform, with local sources suggesting that national aerospace rivals Elbit Systems and Israel Aircraft Industries (IAI) will compete for the business.
If acquired, the armed version of the Black Hawk would be equipped with air-to-surface missiles, targeting and electronic-warfare equipment and would also be used to carry command-and-control systems, the air force says. This would enable the aircraft to locate, identify and destroy targets up to a range of around 8km (4.3nm), most likely using Rafael’s Spike-ER missile.
Elbit and IAI are already actively involved in upgrading the Israeli air force’s combat helicopters, with Elbit already having developed a package for an armed Black Hawk. IAI sources say the company’s design will be based on its current upgrades to other helicopter types and “will be ready for the [new] competition”.
ARIE EGOZI/TEL AVIV
Source: Flight International
