Sikorsky and US Army agree initial 16-aircraft Black Hawk production deal

Sikorsky and the US Army have agreed an initial order for 16 Black Hawk helicopters under a new production agreement designed to provide greater flexibility as military requirements and foreign military sales (FMS) demand evolve.

Announced on 30 September by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, the novel production agreement is expected to expand by more than 100 aircraft in the coming years. It is intended to maintain uninterrupted production while allowing the Army to add aircraft as requirements and budgets change.

“This contract is not only fast but flexible,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky Vice President and General Manager. “This agreement turns a partner-nation decision into aircraft on the ramp faster than conventional procurement allows.”

The initial aircraft will be funded through US Congressional appropriations for fiscal years 2025 and 2026, alongside revenue from the Black Hawk Exchange and Sales Transaction (BEST) program. Under BEST, proceeds from the disposal of older Army aircraft can be reinvested in new helicopters.

The deal also supports the supply chain behind the Black Hawk, manufactured in Stratford, Connecticut, with 230 suppliers across 43 US states.

Sikorsky is continuing to develop upgrades including a more powerful engine, increased payload capacity, extended range, launched effects, autonomy, and a digital backbone based on a modular open systems approach (MOSA).

More than 5,000 Black Hawks have been delivered to over 36 allied nations, accumulating more than 15 million flight hours. Sikorsky said modernization of the existing fleet was intended to keep the helicopter operational into the 2070s.