On January 26, 2024, the US State Department approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to the Government of Croatia, involving the acquisition of eight UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, along with various related equipment and services, with an estimated cost of $500 million.
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The UH-60M helicopter offers an array of armament options, including machine guns, miniguns, Gatling guns, rockets, air-to-ground missiles, and air-to-air missiles. (Picture source: Lockheed Martin)

Croatia presently operates four UH-60 helicopters, with the initial two procured from the United States in 2018, and an additional two acquired without cost. The delivery of the initial pair of Black Hawk helicopters occurred in February 2022. In addition to the helicopters themselves, the Foreign Military Sale (FMS) encompasses nineteen T700-GE 701D engines, with sixteen to be installed in the helicopters and three held as spares.

Furthermore, the proposed deal includes a substantial amount of communication and safety equipment. Croatia is set to receive twenty AN/ARC-231A RT-1987 very high-frequency (VHF) / ultra-high-frequency (UHF) / Line of Sight (LOS) satellite communications (SATCOM) radios, along with ten AN/AAR-57 Counter Missile Warning Systems (CMWS) to enhance threat detection capabilities. To aid navigation and situational awareness, twenty H-764U Embedded Global Position Systems with Inertial Navigation (EGI) are part of the package, equipped with Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM) or a future replacement.

The proposed sale also includes eighteen M240H machine guns, along with a comprehensive range of equipment, from radar warning receivers and laser detecting sets to cryptographic systems and rescue hoist equipment.

In terms of communication and safety, the proposed deal includes AN/ARC-231 RT-1808A (or future replacement) VHF/UHF/LOS SATCOM radios, APR-39C(V)1/4 radar warning receivers, AVR-2B laser detecting sets, and APX-123A Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders (or future replacement).

Additionally, the Government of Croatia will acquire military communication equipment such as the ARC-220 high-frequency (HF) radio with KY-100M, VRC-100 ground stations, AN/PYQ-10 Simple Key Loader (SKL), and KIV-77 Common Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) crypto applique computers, contributing to enhanced interoperability and security in communication.

The proposed sale includes various aviation systems as well, such as the AN/ARN-147(V) VHF Omni-Directional Range (VOR)/instrument landing system (ILS) receiver radio, AN/ARN-149(V) low frequency (LF)/automatic direction finder (ADF) radio receiver, AN/ARN-153 tactical air navigation system (TACAN) receiver-transmitter, AN/APN-209 radar altimeter, and AN/ARC-210 radios.

To address safety concerns, the package also offers EBC-406HM emergency locator transmitter (ELT) systems, Encrypted Aircraft Wireless Intercommunications Systems (EAWIS), Improved Heads-Up Display (IHUD) technology with corresponding signal data converters, and forward-looking infrared (FLIR) capabilities with electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) features.

Moreover, the proposed deal includes Enhanced Ballistic Armor Protection Systems (EBAPS) to ensure the safety of aircrew members, as well as Internal Auxiliary Fuel Tank Systems (IAFTS) to extend the helicopters' range and endurance. Additionally, the package encompasses Fast Rope Insertion & Extraction System (FRIES), External Rescue Hoist (ERH), rescue hoist equipment sets, and Dual Patient Litter System (DPLS) Sets, enhancing the helicopters' versatility and search-and-rescue capabilities.

The UH-60M can carry a crew of 2 pilots and 2 crew chiefs/gunners, along with up to 11 seated troops, 6 stretchers, or 9,000 lb of cargo externally. (Picture source: US DoD)

The UH-60M Black Hawk is a versatile medium-lift utility helicopter developed by the American company Sikorsky Aircraft. It is part of the larger UH-60 Black Hawk family, which has been in service with the US Army since 1978. The UH-60M is the latest variant, introduced to extend the helicopter's service life into the 2020s. With over 5,000 units produced, it serves various international customers as well.

Designed for versatility, the UH-60M can serve various roles such as troop transport, medical evacuation, command-and-control, search-and-rescue, and armed escort. It offers low detectability and excellent nap-of-the-earth flight capabilities. The helicopter is also designed to withstand small arms fire and most high-explosive projectiles, providing protection for its occupants.

The UH-60M Black Hawk's avionics suite includes a digitized cockpit, autopilot, navigation system, and vehicle health management system, enhancing its overall capabilities. This helicopter can carry a crew of 2 pilots and 2 crew chiefs/gunners and has a maximum takeoff weight of 9,979 kg. It can transport up to 11 seated troops, 6 stretchers, or 9,000 lb of cargo externally. It has a maximum speed of 183 mph and a combat range of 370 miles.

Powered by two General Electric T700-GE-701C/D turboshaft engines, each producing 1,994 hp, the UH-60M Black Hawk can attain a maximum speed of 294 km/h while its cruise speed is 282 km/h at maximum range. The helicopter has a combat range of 590 kilometers (370 miles or 320 nautical miles) and a ferry range of 2,221 kilometers (1,380 miles or 1,199 nautical miles) when equipped with ESSS stub wings and external tanks. It has a service ceiling of 5,800 meters and a rate of climb of 8.36 meters per second.

The UH-60M Black Hawk has a length of 19.76 meters, a width of 2.36 meters, and stands 5.13 meters tall. The helicopter's weight specifications comprise an empty weight of 5,675 kilograms and a maximum takeoff weight of 9,979 kilograms. It is powered by two General Electric T700-GE-701C/D turboshaft engines, each generating 1,994 horsepower. The main rotor spans a diameter of 16.36 m, covering an area of 210 m².

Armed variants of the UH-60M can carry various weaponry, including options such as 2 × 7.62 mm M240 machine guns, 2 × 7.62 mm M134 miniguns, or 2 × 12.7 mm GAU-19 gatling guns. The helicopter has four hardpoints, with two on each ESSS stub wing, enabling the attachment of different weapon combinations. It can carry 70 mm Hydra 70 unguided rockets in either a 7-tube (M260) or 19-tube (M261) pod. Additionally, it can mount up to 4 AGM-114 Hellfire laser-guided air-to-ground missiles or 2 AIM-92 Stinger heat-seeking air-to-air missiles on each hardpoint. The Hellfire launcher rails can also accommodate M260 (7-tube) Hydra pods. Other armament options include gun pods in various calibers, such as 7.62 mm, 12.7 mm, 20 mm, or 30 mm. Furthermore, it can be fitted with a VOLCANO minefield dispersal system to meet specific mission requirements.