Lockheed Martin has delivered the first UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter to the Brazilian Army, marking the initial handover under a 12-aircraft contract signed in 2024.
The delivery supports Brazil’s push to strengthen its air mobility and rotary-wing capabilities, particularly for tactical logistics, humanitarian assistance, emergency response, and disaster-relief operations. According to Lockheed Martin, the incoming fleet will be tasked with troop transport, medical evacuation, search-and-rescue, and disaster-response missions.
The company said the milestone reflects more than 20 years of collaboration between Brazil and Sikorsky, the Black Hawk’s manufacturer and a Lockheed Martin subsidiary. Brazil first introduced the Black Hawk into service in 1997, with Sikorsky continuing to provide long-term maintenance and sustainment support.
The UH-60M delivery also improves interoperability across Brazil’s armed forces, complementing the UH-60L Black Hawks currently operated by the Brazilian Air Force.
Technically, the UH-60M measures 64 feet (20 meters) in length and can carry up to 11 fully equipped troops. It offers an internal payload capacity of 3,190 pounds (1,447 kilograms) and can lift approximately 9,000 pounds (4,082 kilograms) of external cargo.
The helicopter can be armed with a range of weapons, including M240 and M134 7.62-mm machine guns, GAU-19 12.7-mm Gatling guns, Hydra 70 rockets, Hellfire and Stinger missiles, explosive systems, and mine-dispensing equipment. Power is provided by twin General Electric T700-GE-701C/D turboshaft engines, each delivering roughly 1,900 horsepower.
The UH-60M has a top speed of 160 knots, an operational ceiling of 19,000 feet, and a maximum range of up to 1,200 nautical miles.
