MH-60K Black Hawk
The MH-60K is the standard Army special operations version of the Black Hawk. The MH-60K Special Operations Aircraft is designed for long-range, low-level penetration of hostile territory at night and in adverse weather. Fielding of the MH-60K began in FY94. This special operations aircraft is a modified UH-60L with an 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 introduced on the U.S. Air Force MH-60G and HH-60G Pave hawk helicopters. It is capable of providing long-range airlifts far into hostile territory in adverse weather conditions.
Modifications include two removable 230 gallon external fuel tanks, two .50 cal. machine guns, an air-to-air refueling probe, and an external hoist. The MH-60K can also be armed with two M134 7.62mm "miniguns". A new avionics suite includes interactive Multi-Function Displays (MFDs), Forward-Looking Infrared (FLIR), digital map generator, and terrain avoidance/terrain following multi-mode radar. Survivability equipment includes radar and missile warning systems and IR jammers. The MH-60K has full shipboard operability. It is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-701C 1843 shp turboshaft engines.
The MH-60K has modified integrated avionics suites and multi-mode radar, and are intended to provide adverse-weather infiltration/exfiltration and support to US military forces, country teams, other agencies, and special activities. This US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) aircraft contribute to the Joint Vision 2010 concept of dominant maneuver by helping to create asymmetric advantages for combined application of land, air, and sea power against enemy defenses within the joint environment. They are eminently capable, as modernized, multi-mission platforms operating within tailor-to-task organizations, of supporting precise, agile, fast-moving joint operations.
