The United States may already have a powerful military force, but that does not mean Uncle Sam has to stop building up its muscles. In fact, the U.S. Army recently took the veil off the UH-60V—the newest variant of the battle-tested UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter—at the Pennsylvania National Guard’s Eastern Army National Guard Aviation Training Site (EAATS) at Fort Indiantown Gap.

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Victor-Model Black Hawks With Digital Cockpits

UH-60V digital cockpit
Via Brad Rhen

EAATS took delivery of six UH-60Vs from the Utility Helicopter Program Office (UHPO) in late July 2021, becoming the first unit equipped with the aircraft. The Victor variant of the UH-60 is essentially a recapitalized UH-60L (Lima) model. While the UH-60L features an analog cockpit, the recapitalization overhauls and converts it to the Victor-model Black Hawk with a digital cockpit. Upgrades include an upgraded digital glass cockpit, certified GPS RNAV database, as well as advanced flight planning and mission capability.

Thanks to its modern digital cockpit, UH-60V offers similar levels of functionality and capability as the Mike-model Black hawk (UH-60M). This digital cockpit should increase the situational awareness of the pilot while easing the work load. The now more capable UH-60V becomes the first aircraft in the U.S. Army with an open system architecture. In a sense, it is now a more powerful military helicopter.

Recapitalizing Black Hawks Costs Less Than Buying New Ones

UH-60V received
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Keeler

Furthermore, since the UH-60V has a nearly identical pilot vehicle interface (PVI) to the UH-60M, the U.S. Army can offer a common training environment that could help cut training costs to its pilot. Right after the arrival of the six UH-60V Black Hawks in July, instructor pilots at EEATS commenced their training. They will, in turn, train new aviators to fly the new Black Hawks on air.

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According to Chief Warrant Officer 4 Frank Madeira, a standardization pilot and instrument evaluator at EAATS, the UH-60V delivers a lower-cost all-digital modernized avionics architecture to the legacy cockpit of Lima model. By recapitalizing the current legacy fleet that includes UH-60A and UH-60L Black Hawks, the US Army can have access to the capabilities of a new helicopter while being not as expensive.

More UH-60V Helicopters Set For US Army

UH-60V arrives EAATS
U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Keeler

The U.S. Army is planning to recapitalize around 760 UH-60L helicopters to the UH-60V configuration. While the EAATS is the first organic unit to fly the Victor-model Black Hawks, the 1-106th Aviation Regiment will have the honor of being the first tactical unit to receive the UH-60V, with deliveries set for completion by the end of fiscal year 2022.

Source: United States Army, National Guard