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S-70A-9 Black Hawk
Photo: Nono vlf · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
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S-70A-9BlackHawk

Utility / Transport Helicopters · United States · 1986
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S-70A-9BlackHawk

S-70A-9 Black Hawk
S-70A-9 Black Hawk Photo: Nono vlf · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 4.0
* Absolute score — assessed within category · no era adjustment
Payload / Capacity
85
Range
75
Versatility
95
Reliability
90
Speed
70
Survivability
80
Hot-and-High Performance
85
Maintainability
88
Technology
80
Cost-Effectiveness
90
Origin United States
Manufacturerde Havilland Australia
CategoryUtility / Transport Helicopters
EraCold War
In service1986–1991
Operators37 countries
Quantity38
Data Quality87%
84
Utility / Transport Helicopters MASS Rating
3/61
Cold War
9/208
All-Time
Utility / Transport Helicopters · 10 axes scored
Payload / Capacity
85
Range
75
Versatility
95
Reliability
90
Speed
70
Survivability
80
Hot-and-High Performance
85
Maintainability
88
Technology
80
Cost-Effectiveness
90
ⓘ Regardless of era, the same scoring system applies to all units in the utility / transport helicopters category.
01 / Overview
S-70A-9 Black Hawk
Prime contractor
Production
1986–1991
Quantity
38
Unit Price (current)
$17.2M↗ 146% inflation · 1990→2025
Original Price
$7.0M (1990)
Operators
💰 PERFORMANCE / PRICE ASSESSMENT Methodology ↗
UTILITY / TRANSPORT HELICOPTERS · COLD WAR
3
PERFORMANCE/PRICE
95
UNIT COST (2025 USD)
$17.2M
Original: $7.0M (1990)
Inflation: +%146
84
utility / transport helicopters category
ⓘ Performance/Price and MASS score are computed across all units in the utility / transport helicopters category, regardless of era.
02 / Specs & Design
◎General6MOD.6
  • First Flight1974
  • Service Entry Year1986
  • Crew2
  • Passengers11
  • Primary RoleUtility transport helicopter
  • In ServiceYes
◈Powerplant8MOD.8
  • Engine TypeGeneral Electric T700 turboshaft
  • Number of Engines2
  • Engine Power (each)1,625 kW
  • Transmission Rating1,560 kW
  • Rotor ConfigurationFour‑blade main rotor
  • Main Rotor Diameter16.36 m
  • Main Rotor Blades4
  • Anti-Torque TypeTail rotor
▣Performance10MOD.10
  • Top Speed270 km/h
  • Cruise Speed260 km/h
  • Never-Exceed Speed (VNE)296 km/h
  • Service Ceiling5,800 m
  • Hover Ceiling (IGE)2,500 m
  • Hover Ceiling (OGE)2,200 m
  • Range590 km
  • Ferry Range800 km
  • Rate of Climb6 m/s
  • Endurance120
◇Dimensions & Weights7MOD.7
  • Fuselage Length19.76 m
  • Height5 m
  • Rotor Disc Area210
  • Empty Weight5,118 kg
  • Max Takeoff Weight10,660 kg
  • Useful Load4,900 kg
  • Cabin Volume12.5
◆Armament & Mission8MOD.8
▲Production3MOD.3
  • Total Built5,000
  • Unit Cost7,000,000 USD
  • Variants1
◎Service History3MOD.3
  • Production Start1983
  • Production End2023
  • Operational StatusIn service
03 / History
SERVICE LIFESPANStill in Service
  1. 1986Production started
  2. 1991Production ended
40
years in service
5
years in production
38
units produced
35
countries operating
ⓘ The producing country still actively operates it. 2 countries retired it.
04 / Operators
S-70A-9 Black HawkSALES1records
YearBuyerQuantityAmountPresent Value (2025)
1986Australia39——
ⓘ "Present Value" is an estimated amount adjusted for inflation.
📖 TERMS ON THIS PAGE9terms
Autopilot/AFCS (Automatic Flight Control System) is an avionics suite that automatically controls a helicopter’s attitude, navigation and flight path, providing stability augmentation and reducing pilot workload.
Armored protective panels installed in the cockpit area of an attack helicopter to shield the crew from small arms fire and shrapnel.
Seats designed to absorb crash forces, reducing injury to occupants.
Combined forward-looking infrared (FLIR) and electro-optical (EO) sensor turret for target acquisition and tracking, typically mounted on aircraft or ground vehicles.
A glass cockpit is an aircraft cockpit featuring electronic instrument displays, typically LCD or CRT screens, replacing traditional analog gauges.
A mechanical device used to lift personnel or cargo via a cable, typically mounted on helicopters for rescue or recovery operations.
Aerodynamic containers mounted on aircraft, typically helicopters or fighter jets, that hold and launch unguided rockets in rapid succession.
Fuel tanks equipped with a material that automatically seals punctures from small arms fire or shrapnel to prevent leakage and reduce fire risk.
A radar system used to detect and track precipitation, storm intensity, and wind patterns to assist in flight operations and mission planning.
These terms are listed automatically because they appear on this page.full encyclopedia →
📚 Sources
📖 ENCYCLOPEDIA Browse the Utility / Transport Helicopters entry →