First Australian UH-60M Black Hawks have arrived

On 30 July 2023, a US Air Force C-17A Globemaster III (07-7179) delivered the first two Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters to RAAF Base Richmond (NSW).

The new helicopters, part of an order for forty UH-60Ms, will replace the Australian Army's troubled fleet of Airbus MRH90 Taipans. The Black Hawks will be operated by the Army Aviation Training Centre at Oakey Army Air Field (Qld.) and the 6th Aviation Regiment (AVN) at Luscombe (NSW), also known as Holsworthy Army Air Field.

It is reported that that the first two have already been flown to Holsworthy. The serials of the Black Hawks start with A60-xxx, as can be seen on the photo. Most probably they will be registered A60-001 to A60-040.

On 4 August 2023, a third UH-60M was delivered to RAAF Base Richmond via a USAF C-17A (01-0187).

Scramble Magazine first reported on the Australian Army replacement programme in December 2021 and on 18 January 2023, when the Australian government confirmed that it would buy the Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk.

Photo via Australian Defence