US Clears $140M Black Hawk Helicopter Sale to Argentina
The US State Department has approved a $140-million foreign military sale of four Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters and ancillary equipment to Argentina.
The package includes two T700-GE-701D engines, communication and navigation systems, rescue hoists, and logistical support.
Buenos Aires also requested training equipment, sustainment, and spares for the aircraft.
Sources project the package to be distributed to the Argentine Army, which announced an effort to replace its aging Bell UH-1H and Huey II fleet in 2024.
Washington highlighted that the potential acquisition will reinforce the South American country’s capability to manage border security, counter-transnational crime, and execute humanitarian and disaster-response operations.
The transaction requires no additional US government or contractor representatives to deploy to Argentina.
Officials confirmed it will not impact the defense readiness of the US Armed Forces.
“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major non-NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in South America,” the US State Department said.
The UH-60 System
Developed by Lockheed Martin, the UH-60 Black Hawk measures 64 feet (20 meters) long, has a rotor diameter of 54 feet (16 meters), and carries up to 11 personnel.
It has a capacity for up to 3,190 pounds (1,447 kilograms) of payload as well as a 9,000-pound (4,082-kilogram) external cargo.
Depending on mission requirements, the rotary-wing platform can be fitted with M240 7.62mm machine guns, M134 7.62mm miniguns, and GAU-19 12.7mm electric Gatling guns.
It can also deploy larger weapons, including Hellfire and Stinger missiles, and Hydra 70mm unguided rockets.
The platform is fitted with two General Electric T700-GE-701C/D turboshaft engines with an output of 1,900 horsepower each, enabling a top speed of 160 knots (185 miles/296 kilometers per hour), an operational range of 1,200 nautical miles (1,381 miles/2,222 kilometers), and a service ceiling of 19,000 feet (5,791 meters).
Source: Defence Post
