After being received days earlier at the Army Aviation Command (CAvEx) in Taubaté (São Paulo, Brazil), the Brazilian Army officially presented the first of its new UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters yesterday, Monday the 15th of this month. The ceremony, which included a demonstration flight of the brand-new aircraft, marked the formal incorporation of the most modern model of the Black Hawk family into service in the country, representing a milestone for Army aviation in its modernization process.
The ceremony included a low-flying flyover, the traditional water cannon salute by fire trucks, and the presentation of the crew, symbolizing the beginning of a new operational phase. This first UH-60M is part of a batch of twelve (12) helicopters acquired through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, a deal valued at approximately $950 million and approved by the U.S. Congress in 2024.
The new Black Hawk arrives to replace the veteran Sikorsky UH-60L and Airbus AS532 Cougar (locally designated HM-2 and HM-3), which are currently in the final phase of their service life. These aircraft, acquired in the 1990s, played a key role in transport and close air support missions, although their age and increasing operating costs made their replacement necessary. With the UH-60M, the Brazilian Army seeks to strengthen its maneuverability, safety, and efficiency in air operations.
The UH-60M Black Hawk incorporates advanced digital avionics, a four-axis autopilot system, GPS, weather radar, and extra-powerful engines capable of reaching speeds of up to 300 km/h. It can transport 12 fully equipped personnel plus a crew of four, and carry payloads of up to four tons. Designed to operate in demanding environments, the model supports armed configurations with machine guns and missiles, expanding its tactical versatility.
To facilitate the integration of the new system, in 2024 a group of 22 personnel from the Army Aviation Command were sent to the United States to receive specific training on the operation and maintenance of the UH-60M. This training enabled the initiation of local training for new technicians and crews, ensuring a progressive and efficient integration of the helicopter into the Brazilian fleet.
The first UH-60M arrived in Brazil at the end of November, transported by a U.S. Air Force C-17A Globemaster III. With its official presentation, the Brazilian Army begins the complete modernization of its fleet of medium utility helicopters, strengthening its capacity to perform transport, search and rescue, aeromedical evacuation, and logistical support missions.
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