The Swedish Armed Forces are modifying their UH60-M Black Hawk helicopter fleet to extend their flight time by 50 percent.
This includes adding a fuel tank to the Sikorsky aircraft that can hold an additional 750 liters of fuel.
The aircraft conversion has been underway since autumn 2023 and is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2024.
“It is a major task that would not have been possible without very good cooperation between the Air Force Staff, the helicopter flotilla, the Defense Materiel Administration (FMV) and the American supplier,” said the technical director of Helikopter 16. Per Johnson said.
Helicopter 16 is the designation of the UH60-M in the Swedish Armed Forces.
What was the reason for the change?
An international deployment to Mali in 2022 demonstrated the aircraft’s range limits in this vast country, leading to the modification.
The US Army also reportedly participated in the program by sending personnel to Sweden.
“We have several helicopters that have already been modified and have used the additional fuel tank with good results,” said Johnsson.
“We are now completing work on the entire Helicopter 16 park. In addition, the system will be used in several other countries, including the USA.”
“It is a great advantage for us to use their configuration as much as possible, as the US Army can then assume responsibility for airworthiness and integration.”
Additional aircraft requested
The Swedish Armed Forces helicopter squadron operates a total of 15 Black Hawks.
A request to purchase an additional 12 UH60-M for an estimated $900 million was approved by the USA in May of this year.
The potential purchase includes 30 T700-GE-701D engines (including six spare engines) and 17 AN/AAR-57 missile warning systems.
