Article Posted on : - Nov 21, 2011

UH-60M BLACK HAWK helicopter. Photo: Sikorsky.

STRATFORD, CONNECTICUT (BNS): The Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) is receiving the fourth UH-60M BLACK HAWK from the US Army.

The FMV is procuring 15 aircraft via the US Government's Foreign Military Sales programme. The Swedish Armed Forces will use the aircraft for medical evacuation, utility, and search and rescue missions.

Sikorsky is building and delivering all 15 UH-60M aircraft to an accelerated 18-month production schedule that began in May, 2011. Seven aircraft are on schedule for delivery to the US Army from September through December, with eight additional deliveries through the fall of 2012.

"The Black Hawk Utility Helicopter (UH-60) is the world's best current and future force utility helicopter," said Gregory D Gore, Deputy Project Manager, US Army Utility Helicopters Project Office, during the delivery ceremony on Thursday.

Sweden is the first European country to acquire the US Army's UH-60M BLACK HAWK aircraft, introduced into service with the US Army in 2007. The 'M' model is the latest variant of the world's most successful medium-lift military utility helicopter.

Sweden's aircraft come equipped from Sikorsky with an advanced flight control system to reduce pilot workload, full night vision device capability for night operations, and a state-of-the-art communications suite.

The US Army will further modify the aircraft with a variety of equipment, including an exterior rescue hoist, gunner seats, armoured floor, stackable litters, a cockpit heater and environmental control system.