MH-60L Black Hawk

US Special Forces Helicopter

At the end of 1968, the U.S. Army awarded contracts to several companies for the development of a multi-role tactical transport helicopter. This program was called UTTAS (Utility Tactical Transport Air System), and the following requirements were set: a three-person crew, the ability to carry 11-15 soldiers in the cabin, a powerplant with two engines, and the ability to transport the helicopter inside cargo aircraft. In 1976, after completing the tests, the Army selected Sikorsky as the winner of the UTTAS program, and a contract was signed for the production of the first batch of helicopters, which were designated UH-60A Black Hawk (Sikorsky’s series designation was S-70). These became the basis for a whole family of helicopters for various purposes—transport, special operations, electronic warfare, naval multi-role, anti-submarine, medical, and more. The MH-60L modification is a special operations helicopter for the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) of the U.S. Army, also known as the “Night Stalkers.” The helicopter is equipped with weather radar and a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) sensor, and it can also be fitted with an air refueling system.