,_MH-60K.jpg "Mh-60k Aircraft Black Hawk (mh-60k Special Operations Aircraft)")
The Sikorsky S-70 is a medium transport/utility helicopter family manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. It was developed for the U.S. Army in the 1970s, winning a competition to be designated the UH-60 Black Hawk and spawning a large family in U.S. military service. New and improved versions of the UH-60 have been developed since. Civilian versions, and some military versions are produced under various S-70 model designations.
The S-70 family was developed to meet a US Army requirement to replace the UH-1 Iroquois family of utility medium-lift helicopters in 1972. Three YUH-60A prototypes were constructed, with the first flying in October 1974. They were evaluated against the Boeing-Vertol YUH-61A. The YUH-60A was selected for production, and entered service as the UH-60A Black Hawk with the US Army in 1979.
After entering service, the helicopter was modified for new missions and roles, including mine laying and medical evacuation.
The S-70 can perform a wide array of missions, including air cavalry, electronic warfare, and aeromedical evacuation: several versions are used to transport the President of the United States, which while carrying the President is known as "Marine One". In air assault operations it can move a squad of 11 combat troops and equipment or carry the 105Â mm M102 howitzer, thirty rounds of ammunition, and a six-man crew. Alternatively, it can carry 2,600Â lb (1,200Â kg) of cargo or sling load 9,000Â lb (4,100Â kg) of cargo. The S-70 is equipped with advanced avionics and electronics, such as the Global Positioning System.