Rotorcraft
Australian Army Looks to UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters
Problems with the MRH90 Taipan military helicopter fleet have spurred the search for a successor, with the UH-60M leading the field.
Despite offering payload and performance advantages over the Black Hawk, the MRH90 has suffered from availability and maintenance cost issues in Australian service. (Photo: Australian Department of Defence)
Despite offering payload and performance advantages over the Black Hawk, the MRH90 has suffered from availability and maintenance cost issues in Australian service. (Photo: Australian Department of Defence)

The Australian Army is seeking information from the U.S. government on the procurement of up to 40 Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk utility transport helicopters. If the plan, which Australia's defense minister Peter Dutton announced on December 10, is approved, the arrival of the new helicopters will accelerate the retirement of the troubled NH Industries MRH90 Taipan fleet, which was originally due to leave service in 2037. That date is likely to be brought forward by 10 years.


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