WorldTekhno.com – Indonesian Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto purchased 24 S-70M helicopters in August 2023. The S-70M Black Hawk helicopter will become a new fleet of the Indonesian army.
This helicopter transaction was made by Indonesian Land Transportation Polytechnic (PTDI) Senior Director Gita Amperiawan and Sikorsky, Lockheed Martin Vice President of Global Business Development Jeff White.
The S-70M Black Hawk helicopter is a family of US medium utility and transport helicopters manufactured by Sikorsky Aircraft. The Black Hawk first flew in 1974 and has been used by more than 30 countries around the world.
The S-70M Black Hawk is an upgraded version of the S-70i and received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification in February 2019.
The helicopter has several improvements compared to the previous version, including:
○ New, more powerful engine ○ offering increased thrust and range.
○ Improved avionics system with digital cockpit and head-up display.
○ Improved self-defence system to protect the helicopter from enemy attacks.
The S-70M Black Hawk can be used for a variety of missions, including:
○ Troop and cargo transport.
○ Medical evacuation
○ Battle
○ Rescue
This helicopter has been used in a number of conflicts, including the Gulf War, the Afghanistan War and the Iraq War.
Specifications of the S-70M Black Hawk:
○ Length: 19.7 metres
○ Width: 2.3 metres
○ Height: 4.9 metres
○ Empty weight: 9,500 kg
○ Maximum Take-Off Weight: 12,000 kg
○ Engines: 2 × General Electric T700-GE-701D, 2200 shp (1640 kW) each
○ Maximum speed: 302 km/h
○ Cruise speed: 268 km/h
○ Maximum range: 496 km
○ Combat range: 193 km
○ Maximum altitude: 7,620 metres
○ Crew: 4-6 persons
Indonesia has ordered 24 S-70M Black Hawk units from the United States. These helicopters will be used to strengthen the capabilities of the Indonesian air force and navy.***
