HH-60W

Description: The UH-60 utility tactical transport helicopters provide air assault, general support, medial evacuation, command and control, electronic warfare, and special operations support for the US Army and allied nations. They feature lightweight armor to counter small arms fire, as well as hardened and redundant sub-systems design for improved survivability. The UH-60 airframe has been designed to progressively crush on impact, protecting the crew and the passengers. The UH-60 helicopters provide improved mobility to ground forces, due to dramatic improvements in troop capacity and cargo lift capability compared to previous utility helicopters. UH-60s also enable rapid deployment of infantry troops throughout the battlefield. Up to 11 combat ready troops and a crew of 4 can be accommodated inside a UH-60 helicopter.

The UH-60 helicopter can accommodate external fuel tanks to achieve extended range, small caliber guns typically for self-defense, and even Hellfire anti-tank missiles, as well as other equipment. They can operate in almost any weather conditions even carrying a 105mm howitzer, its crew of 6-man, and up to 30 rounds of ammunition in just a single lift. It has been exported under the S-70 designation and more than 2,660 units have been produced to date. The US Army is the largest UH-60 operator with an estimated procurement of 1,725 UH-60A/L helicopters and more than 4,600 aircraft produced for domestic and foreign operators. The US Army expects to upgrade the majority of the fleet to the UH-60M standard by 2020.

The CRH-60, also referred to as the HH-60M and now the HH-60W, is a variant intended to conduct combat search and rescue (CSAR) missions as replacement for the HH-60G helicopter. The $1.28 billion Engineering & Manufacturing Development (EMD) contract for the CRH-60 was awarded to Sikorsky on June 26, 2014. The CRH-60 is expected to enter service by 2020 with the US Air Force set to procure up to 112 aircraft.