Australia conducts Black Hawk maritime flight trials
© Defence Australia
Australia has carried out flight trials using one of its new UH-60M Black Hawks onboard a Royal Australian Navy training vessel
The flight trials were conducted in August aboard the multi-role aviation training vessel MV Sycamore.
The trials, flown by two Royal Australian Navy test pilots, focused on the integration of the aircraft with ship systems, as well as testing the aircraft’s suitability, and identifying various limitations.
Additionally, the helicopter participated in an on-deck refueling using the ship’s aviation fuel reserves.
Australia placed an order for a fleet of 40 UH-60Ms in January 2023, with the aim of replacing its existing fleet of 47 MRH-90 Taipan rotorcraft, which are used for missions such as search and rescue, medical evacuation, and troop transport.
Deliveries of the new Black Hawks are scheduled to completed by 2029.