S-70A-9 Black Hawk

The S‑70A‑9 Black Hawk is a licensed, locally produced version of the Sikorsky UH‑60 family built by de Havilland Australia in the early 1990s. In response to a 1991 Australian Defence Force requirement for a medium‑lift, all‑weather helicopter, de Havilland secured a production contract and assembled 23 airframes at its Bankstown facility using a combination of imported kits and Australian‑made components. The aircraft entered service in 1994 as the primary tactical transport for the Australian Army’s 5th Aviation Regiment, later supporting disaster‑relief and peace‑keeping missions throughout the Asia‑Pacific region.

Key features of the S‑70A‑9 include a twin‑turbo‑shaft GE T700‑701C engines delivering 1,800 shaft‑horsepower each, a five‑blade composite main rotor, and a fully digital glass cockpit with dual EFIS displays. The airframe incorporates corrosion‑resistant aluminium alloys and an upgraded flight‑control system that meets the rigorous Australian climatic and operational standards. With a maximum payload of 2,500 kg and a cruise speed of 260 km/h, the helicopter can transport up to twelve equipped troops or sling‑load cargo up to 3,000 kg.

The S‑70A‑9’s significance lies in demonstrating Australia’s capacity to domestically produce advanced rotorcraft, reducing reliance on overseas suppliers and providing a platform that has remained integral to the nation’s strategic air mobility for more than two decades.