Steve's Video Of The Day: "Black Hawk Down!"

Sadly, yesterday, Jan. 7, 2006, a Black Hawk helicopter crashed in Northern Iraq, killing all 4 crew members and 8 passengers.

The Black Hawk replaced the venerable old UH-1 "Huey" on the battlefield, and can operate in all weather and at night. An entire 11-person, fully-equipped infantry squad can be lifted in a single Black Hawk, and transported faster than in predecessor systems. The Black Hawk can reposition a 105 mm Howitzer, its crew of six, and lift up to 30 rounds of ammunition in a single lift. Quite a machine. Anyhow, the battlefield is an unforgiving place, and early indications are that there was "severe weather" at the time of the accident. My heart-felt condolences to the families of the crew members and passengers.

VIDEO - "Black Hawk Down!"
(the "lit" rotors are caused by heat from the friction between sand and rotors! Filmed at "night" in Kuwait!)



SPECIFICATIONS

Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft

Performance

Max Cruise Speed:

4,000 ft; 95°F 152 knots
2,000 ft; 70°F 159 knots
SLS 155 knots
VNE 193 knots

Vertical rate of Climb 95% MRP:

4,000 ft; 95°F 1,550 ft per minute
2,000 ft; 70°F 2,750 ft per minute
SLS > 3,000 ft per minute

Service Ceiling (ISA day):

19,1510 ft

Hover Ceiling MRP-OGE:

95°F 7,650 ft
70°F 9,375 ft
Standard Day 11,125 ft

Weight Empty: 11,516 Lbs

Mission gross weight - 17,432 Lbs
Maximum gross weight - 22,000 Lbs
Maximum gross weight (ferry) - 24,500 Lbs

Length:

64 ft 10 in

Height:

16 ft 10 in

Rotor Diameter:

53 ft 8 in
Four titanium and fiberglass blades


Self-explanatory!