Army picks Black Hawk replacement - V-280

[Screaminhelo]

On 12/10/2022 at 12:16 PM, Da SWO said:

Size-wise, it's comparable to helicopters already in the inventory.

 

 

Blackhawk comparison:

 

 

 

I would much rather put the SB-1 in a tight LZ. 

 

H-60 main rotor diameter is 53 feet, SB-1 58 feet and V-280 79 feet.

H-60 overall length 64 feet, SB-1 68 feet, V-280 50 feet.

 

Maybe I am just a Sikorsky fanboy the but 26 foot difference in total rotor span is a big deal in my mind. it is challenging enough to judge rotor clearance over 25 feet and this would add about another 10 to 15 feet to the equation, not exactly my idea of a good time in a degraded visual environment. Yes, the overall rotor span is the same as the CH-53 but the -53 is not employed in the same manner as the UH-60. 

 

Feel free to chalk this up to the ravings of a Blackhawk baby but I love my Hawks and what they do. I see the SB-1 as the logical evolution of the utility platform.

 

And let's not forget the toll that it will take on porta-johns Army wide