United Technologies' (RTX 0.84%) Sikorsky Aircraft subsidiary notched a significant contract win Thursday, when it was awarded a $244.9 million modification to an existing firm-fixed-price, multi-year contract to supply the U.S. Army with UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.
Probably best known for its starring role in the movie Black Hawk Down, the aircraft is what Sikorsky calls the U.S. Army's multi-mission helicopter for the 21st century." The Black Hawk can fly at speeds exceeding 150 knots, and at an altitude approaching 3 miles above sea level. Without reserve fuel, its two engines and 360 gallons-big fuel tanks can carry it as far as 276 nautical miles before needing to refuel.
Used as a transport, the Black Hawk is capable of carrying as many as 20 passengers in addition to its crew. It can be outfitted to carry everything from Stinger anti-aircraft and Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, to miniguns and machine guns. When armed, the Black Hawk helicopter is called a "Battlehawk."
