U.S. Army awards major Black Hawk helicopter contract
The U.S. Army has awarded Sikorsky Aircraft a contract valued at approximately 433 million dollars for the production and delivery of additional Black Hawk helicopters. The agreement covers new UH 60M utility helicopters and HH 60M medical evacuation variants, reinforcing the Army’s rotary wing fleet across multiple mission areas.
The contract was announced in December 2025 and supports ongoing modernization efforts aimed at maintaining operational readiness across active duty and reserve aviation units. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, will carry out the work at its facilities in the United States, with deliveries scheduled over the coming years.
Expanding the U.S. Army Black Hawk contract scope
Under the U.S. Army Black Hawk contract, Sikorsky will deliver a mix of UH 60M and HH 60M helicopters configured to meet current battlefield and humanitarian requirements. The UH 60M is the Army’s primary medium lift helicopter, while the HH 60M is optimized for combat medical evacuation missions.
-
Both variants are based on the same proven airframe but differ in mission equipment. The UH 60M supports troop transport, logistics resupply, command and control, and air assault operations. The HH 60M is equipped with advanced medical systems, patient litters, and defensive aids to operate in contested environments.
Background on the Black Hawk program
The Black Hawk family has been a cornerstone of U.S. Army aviation for more than four decades. Since its introduction in the late 1970s, the aircraft has been continuously upgraded to meet evolving operational demands.
The modern UH 60M configuration features improved engines, a strengthened drivetrain, digital cockpit displays, and enhanced survivability systems. These upgrades allow the helicopter to operate at higher altitudes, carry heavier payloads, and integrate with modern battlefield networks.
-
The HH 60M, introduced to replace older medical evacuation platforms, has become the standard Army MEDEVAC helicopter. It plays a critical role in reducing casualty evacuation times and improving survival rates for wounded personnel during combat operations.
Contract details and production timeline
According to official contract information, the 433 million dollar award covers procurement, integration, and support services for the helicopters. The work will be performed primarily at Sikorsky’s manufacturing site in Connecticut, with additional contributions from suppliers across the U.S. defense industrial base.
The U.S. Army Black Hawk contract is structured to ensure steady production while maintaining flexibility to adjust quantities based on operational needs and budget availability. This approach supports long term fleet planning and helps avoid gaps in helicopter availability.
Army officials have emphasized that continued investment in Black Hawk helicopters remains essential, even as future vertical lift programs advance. The platform provides a reliable and cost effective solution for a wide range of missions today.
Strategic importance for Army aviation
The latest U.S. Army Black Hawk contract reflects the service’s focus on sustaining proven platforms while integrating incremental upgrades. Despite the development of next generation rotorcraft under the Future Vertical Lift initiative, Black Hawk helicopters are expected to remain in service well into the 2040s.
-
By procuring additional UH 60M and HH 60M aircraft, the Army ensures consistent fleet commonality, simplified training, and reduced maintenance complexity. This is particularly important for medical evacuation units that rely on standardized equipment and procedures across deployments.
The contract also supports domestic manufacturing and skilled aerospace jobs, reinforcing the resilience of the U.S. defense supply chain.
What comes next
Delivery of the new helicopters will begin following completion of production and acceptance testing. Once fielded, the aircraft will be assigned to operational units in the United States and overseas.
As global security demands continue to evolve, the U.S. Army Black Hawk contract underscores the enduring value of a versatile and combat proven helicopter platform. Additional procurement actions and upgrade contracts are expected as the Army balances modernization goals with near term readiness requirements.
-
-
