US prepares first Black Hawk deliveries to Afghanistan

[Zarvan]

The first of an initial four UH-60's has completed its final technical evaluations and will be delivered to the Afghan Air Force in September 2017. Source: US CENTCOM

The United States is on course to deliver the first batch of four Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters to Afghanistan in the coming weeks.

NATO announced on its Resolute Support Facebook page on 15 August that, with the first aircraft now tested and ready for delivery, the remaining three of the first batch will all be ready for handover to the Afghan Air Force (AAF) by the end of September.

The announcement by NATO marks the latest milestone in an effort to transition the AAF’s rotary-winged air mobility capabilities over to the Black Hawk and so end the service’s reliance on Russian-made Mil Mi-17 'Hip' helicopters. In November 2016 it was disclosed by US Senator Richard Blumenthal that the US Department of Defense (DoD) will provide the AAF with 53 Black Hawks that are being transferred from US Army stocks and upgraded. A delivery timeline was not disclosed.

In its efforts to re-equip the Afghan armed forces, the central mantra of the US government has been that all equipment must be easy to maintain and support. As one senior US military official previously put it to Jane's, "One thing you have to remember is that none of these guys are cowards; they will fight [but the problem is that] they don't have the national [support] base [and] they don't have the industry. It is tough to get parts; it is tough to maintain things."

The Russian-built Mi-17 is renowned for being rugged and reliable, and so fit the bill perfectly. The AAF operates about 50 Mi-17s, with the Special Mission Wing (SMW) fielding about 30 more. These have been obtained from the Czech Republic, Russia, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom, and were funded largely by the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

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http://www.janes.com/article/73120/us-prepares-first-black-hawk-deliveries-to-afghanistan

 

[bdslph]

nothing can beat the Mi17

 

[cloud4000]

Knowing the ANA, these helicopters will end up in the hands of Taliban, probably sold by some corrupt warlord or military commander.

 

[Thorough Pro]

Knowing the nature of Afghani's, PA needs to strengthen their shoulder fired SAM batteries at the Pak Afghan border.

The first of an initial four UH-60's has completed its final technical evaluations and will be delivered to the Afghan Air Force in September 2017. Source: US CENTCOM

The United States is on course to deliver the first batch of four Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters to Afghanistan in the coming weeks.

NATO announced on its Resolute Support Facebook page on 15 August that, with the first aircraft now tested and ready for delivery, the remaining three of the first batch will all be ready for handover to the Afghan Air Force (AAF) by the end of September.

The announcement by NATO marks the latest milestone in an effort to transition the AAF’s rotary-winged air mobility capabilities over to the Black Hawk and so end the service’s reliance on Russian-made Mil Mi-17 'Hip' helicopters. In November 2016 it was disclosed by US Senator Richard Blumenthal that the US Department of Defense (DoD) will provide the AAF with 53 Black Hawks that are being transferred from US Army stocks and upgraded. A delivery timeline was not disclosed.

In its efforts to re-equip the Afghan armed forces, the central mantra of the US government has been that all equipment must be easy to maintain and support. As one senior US military official previously put it to Jane's, "One thing you have to remember is that none of these guys are cowards; they will fight [but the problem is that] they don't have the national [support] base [and] they don't have the industry. It is tough to get parts; it is tough to maintain things."

The Russian-built Mi-17 is renowned for being rugged and reliable, and so fit the bill perfectly. The AAF operates about 50 Mi-17s, with the Special Mission Wing (SMW) fielding about 30 more. These have been obtained from the Czech Republic, Russia, Slovakia, and the United Kingdom, and were funded largely by the United Arab Emirates and the United States.

Want to read more? For analysis on this article and access to all our insight content, please enquire about our subscription options: ihs.com/contact




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(317 of 451 words)

http://www.janes.com/article/73120/us-prepares-first-black-hawk-deliveries-to-afghanistan