The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is an American-made medium all-metal multi-role infantry support helicopter with a classic main rotor and tail rotor configuration on a beam. The UH-60 D version is powered by two General Electric T-700-700 engines with a capacity of 1,560 hp each. The first prototype flew in 1974, and serial production, which began in 1974, is still ongoing. It is estimated that more than 4,000 copies of this helicopter had been built by 2017.
The Sikorsky UH-60 was created in response to a tender announced in 1972 by the US Army for a new transport helicopter to replace the UH-1 Huey. The new machine was supposed to have better characteristics, be cheaper to operate, and be characterized by high survivability on the battlefield. The Sikorsky machine met all these criteria, with particular emphasis on the last of the above elements. During serial production, many modified versions of this very durable and successful helicopter were created. The basic version was designated UH-60A, which was used mainly for transport purposes. Later, the UH-60L version was introduced with more powerful engines, which increased the machine's carrying capacity. The S-70 International version was also created, which was widely offered - often successfully - to foreign customers. It is worth adding that currently (2017) this version is produced at factories in Melk. Numerous specialized versions have also been created, such as the MH-60A, which is intended for American special forces. The SH-60 Seahawk naval version was also significantly modified on the basis of the UH-60. MH-60 helicopters took an active part in the Granada intervention (1983), the Mogadishu operation (1993), both Iraq wars (1990-1991 and 2003), and the operation in Afghanistan since 2001. They have also been exported to many countries, including Austria, Brazil, Chile, Egypt, Israel, Japan, and Turkey.
