UH-60 helicopters in Ukraine: unknown number with unknown purpose
UH-60, which arrived in Ukraine no later than February 2023. Photo by the Main Intelligence Directorate of Ukraine
Over the past two years, foreign partners have repeatedly transferred helicopters of various types to the Kyiv regime. Along with other equipment, several American-made UH-60 Black Hawk multipurpose helicopters arrived in Ukraine. The exact number of such machines remains unknown. In addition, their origin and supply routes are questionable. At the same time, the prospects for foreign helicopters that will try to be used in battles are quite understandable and predictable.
Helicopter assistance
In 2022-23 a number of foreign countries, mainly Eastern European ones, helped the Kyiv regime with replenishing the losses of army helicopters aviation. He was given Soviet-style equipment, which could be put into operation immediately and without additional development. At the same time, the Ukrainian authorities regularly expressed a desire to receive American-made helicopters, but for some time such requests remained unanswered.
The situation changed no later than the beginning of last year. Thus, in February 2023, the main intelligence department of Ukraine published photographs of the aircraft it had. As part of a pretentious demonstration photo shoot, a Mi-24 combat helicopter and a multi-purpose UH-60 with Ukrainian insignia were included in the frame.
How this Black Hawk got to Ukraine is unknown. At the same time, the registration number N60FW was visible in the photographs, from which information about the aircraft was easily established. Thus, the helicopter belongs to the basic modification of the UH-60A and is quite old. The previous owner of the car was the American company Ace Aeronautics. Interestingly, at the beginning of 2022, she re-equipped the machine according to a project of her own design and then showed it at exhibitions. However, already at the turn of 2022-23. for some reason they decided to sell the helicopter to the Kyiv regime or its partners.
Helicopter bought by Czech activists in the fall of 2023. Photo: Airrecognition.com
In April 2023, some new details of the supply of foreign helicopters to Ukraine became known. The American TV channel ABC News learned from its sources that Ukrainian “volunteers” were able to raise $6 million and used this money to purchase a UH-60 helicopter from an unnamed private seller. Apparently the seller was Ace Aeronautics or some intermediary.
In November of the same year, Czech activists from the Dárek pro-Putina (“Gift for Putin”) movement announced the completion of raising money for a UH-60 helicopter for Ukraine. They planned to pay for it in the near future and transfer it to the recipient. It is unknown how quickly these measures were completed.
Thus, by the beginning of 2024, at least two UH-60A multi-purpose helicopters became available to Ukrainian forces. They could be used as transport and combat vehicles for power steering units when solving various tasks. However, given the specifics of the current conflict, it cannot be ruled out that American helicopters remain in the hangar all the time - due to the high risk of their loss and the corresponding reputational costs.
Losses or gains
Over the past few weeks, Ukrainian formations, including those made up of defectors of Russian origin, have attempted to attack the Russian state border in the Belgorod and Kursk regions. This offensive ended in failure, and the Ukrainian side suffered heavy losses in manpower and equipment. In particular, Russian Defense и artillery destroyed several enemy helicopters.
On March 17, journalist Evgeny Poddubny published an interesting video on his Telegram channel, filmed by a Russian reconnaissance UAV. UAV captured a Ukrainian helicopter lying on the ground and burning, hit by our air defense. It was reported that the helicopter with 20 militants on board was heading to the settlement of Kozinki in close proximity to the state border, but was spotted in time and hit by air defense systems.
A burning Ukrainian helicopter in the border zone, March 2024. Photo Telegram / E. Poddubny
By the time of filming from the UAV, the main part of the helicopter had already burned out. This circumstance and the low quality of the video make it difficult to identify the aircraft. However, in a tolerable condition, the tail boom with horizontal tail was captured in the frame. The appearance and proportions of these fragments resembled the corresponding units of the UH-60 helicopter.
It soon became clear that this assumption was wrong. Our soldiers examined the wreckage on the spot and determined the type of burnt helicopter - the Ukrainian landing party was flying an Mi-8. However, the type of vehicle destroyed is unimportant. The very fact of the reduction of the Ukrainian aviation fleet is significant.
It is noteworthy that the Ukrainian side hastened to refute the version of the destruction of the Black Hawk. The Main Intelligence Directorate published a photograph of two such helicopters. This “argument” is hardly worth considering seriously. So, the picture could have been taken earlier, before the supposed destruction of the helicopter. In addition, Ukraine could receive more than two cars - in this case, the loss of several units will not interfere with demonstrating the rest and creating the appearance of safety of the fleet.
However, it is now known that it was the Mi-8, not the UH-60, that was destroyed in the border area. It can be assumed that Ukrainian forces did not use American helicopters at all in their recent attacks. Thanks to this, they were preserved and proudly displayed in propaganda materials. At the same time, they did not bring any practical benefit.
Production and sales
Sikorsky (now part of Lockheed Martin) began producing UH-60 helicopters in the mid-seventies. Over the past decades, the helicopter has undergone several upgrades, and its production continues to this day. Attempts have been made to create a new replacement model, but they have not yet led to the desired results. To date, the total number of helicopters built has exceeded 5 thousand units.
The American UH-60 accepts cargo on an external sling. Photo by US Department of Defense
The main customer of the UH-60, starting from the very first modifications, was various US structures, primarily the armed forces. Subsequently, such equipment was acquired by various foreign countries. To date, the list of operators includes 35 states, incl. Ukraine.
The manufacturing company continues to accept orders for the production of new Black Hawks. In addition, there is a significant secondary market. For example, in the early 60s, the Pentagon began replacing helicopters of the basic UH-500A modification and began purchasing new equipment. During this re-equipment, about 550-XNUMX helicopters suitable for further operation were decommissioned and put up for sale. The bulk of them were bought by various commercial organizations, both for themselves and for resale.
Used Black Hawk helicopters of various versions and various configurations remain in circulation and regularly pass from one owner to another. At least a dozen of these machines are constantly on sale. In the current situation, at least two helicopters were purchased by one or another structure and transferred to the Kyiv regime. It cannot be ruled out that supplies of UH-60s to Ukraine will not stop here, and its fleet will grow.
Multipurpose platform
The UH-60 Black Hawk is a classic multi-role helicopter designed to carry passengers and cargo, as well as serve as a platform for a variety of weapons and systems. To realize all such possibilities and wishes of various customers, a total of several dozen modifications with various features were developed.
Helicopters transport artillery. Photo by US Department of Defense
The helicopter has a fuselage 15,25 m long, containing a pilot cabin and a cargo-passenger cabin. Above them are two General Electric T700-GE-700 turboshaft engines with a power of approx. 2000 hp every. Using the main gearbox, power is transmitted to a main rotor with a diameter of 16,36 m and a 3,35-m tail rotor.
An empty helicopter of the first modification of the UH-60A has a mass of approx. 5,1 tons. Maximum take-off weight - 9,2 tons. Payload is 1,2 tons inside the cabin or 3,6 tons on an external sling. There are 14 seats for passengers; It is possible to transport 6 wounded on stretchers. Access to the cabin is provided by side sliding doors.
In the transport-combat version, the Black Hawk carries barrel and other weapons. Rifle or large-caliber machine guns or automatic grenade launchers are mounted in the door openings. There are four suspension points on the wing used to install machine gun containers, controlled or uncontrolled. missilesThere are also special modifications equipped with surveillance and search equipment, mining systems, anti-submarine equipment, etc.
In the basic version, the UH-60A reaches speeds of up to 296 km/h with a cruising speed of 268 km/h. The practical range using drop tanks exceeds 2200 km, while the combat radius is limited to 600 km. Static ceiling – 3170 m.
During a series of upgrades, the UH-60 received new engines, avionics, etc. This led to an increase in basic flight characteristics, improved operational performance, etc. In addition, it is known that there is a special low-profile modification with an updated airframe made on the basis of stealth technologies.
Former American UH-60s transferred to Afghanistan, 2017. US Department of Defense photo
Workhorses
As half a century of active operation has shown, the UH-60 is a fairly successful and convenient helicopter, capable of solving a variety of tasks. The successful combination of technical, performance and operational characteristics has helped it occupy a prominent place in the aircraft fleets of many countries. In addition, a replacement for the Black Hawk is not yet in sight, and the operation of such vehicles will continue.
It should be noted that all the benefits of the UH-60 can only be obtained if you have a large fleet of such equipment, as well as when operating in the absence of serious threats. All this does not apply to Ukraine, which managed to get only two Black Hawks. They are not at risk, and such helicopters do not appear in combat zones. All the work of transporting people and cargo has to be taken on by the old Soviet Mi-8s, which in doing so are exposed to a certain danger and suffer losses.
The reasons for such different attitudes towards available equipment are simple and understandable. The UH-60, like a number of other American-made products, are a kind of symbol. The Kiev regime cannot afford to risk the equipment of its patrons and spoil its reputation. Through their incorrect actions, Ukrainian formations have already compromised anti-tank systems, man-portable air defense systems, armored vehicles and Tanks from the USA, and are unlikely to want to do the same with helicopters.
Due to such restrictions, the few UH-60s appear to be used by Ukraine only as props for propaganda materials. However, the gradual destruction of the fleet of other helicopters will force the Kiev regime to send the protected Black Hawks to the front. Now it's just a matter of time.
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