The Australian Army’s UH-60M Black Hawk fleet has reached initial operating capability. Defence Australia said the milestone was achieved just 15 months after the first aircraft began flying in 2023, following essential testing, evaluation and training activities in the United States.
The delivery of 12 Black Hawk helicopters includes maintenance and aircrew training simulators and critical communication and navigation systems. A fleet support and maintenance system was also established for the Lockheed Martin-built aircraft. Defence said reaching initial operational capability means that the Army’s Black Hawks are fit to support counterterrorism operations within the country and fill capability gaps resulting from the withdrawal of the MRH90 Taipan fleet.
Seven additional aircraft are scheduled for delivery in 2025, with all 40 aircraft expected to be delivered by 2030. Lockheed Martin Australia will collaborate with the Australian Defence Force to set up a local maintenance, repair and overhaul network, potentially creating over 200 jobs in New South Wales and Queensland.
“The delivery of this capability signifies one of the fastest initial phases of a capability acquisition in recent times, and showcases the optimization of the Australian Army in order to meet our strategic circumstances,” Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said in a statement.
This Black Hawk fleet delivery follows the Royal Australian Air Force’s recent acquisition of nine new F-35A Lightning II fighter aircraft, also produced by Lockheed. These aircraft will enhance RAAF’s air defense and strike capabilities alongside its existing EA-18G Growler and F/A-18F Super Hornet fleets.
Manufactured by Sikorsky, a Lockheed subsidiary, the UH-60M Black Hawk is a twin-engine aircraft with reconfigurable cabins and a 9,000-pound cargo capacity. It can transport troops, deliver supplies, and conduct search and rescue missions, including in contested environments. According to Lockheed, there are currently 5,000 Black Hawks in 36 countries, with recent deliveries to Greece, Poland and the Philippines.