Swedish UH-60 Blackhawk choppers, developments...

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.key.aero/view_news.asp?ID=25 ... n=military
and
http://www.dsca.mil/PressReleases/36-b/ ... _10-63.pdf

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Sweden is requesting 15 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from the US.

1-Oct-2010

Sweden is requesting 15 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from the US government to help support operations in Afghanistan.

The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress of the request, worth approximately $546 million (€398 million).

The Swedish Air Force wants to address an urgent shortfall in Combat Search and Rescue and Medical Evacuation transport capability.
Delivery of the new-build aircraft is expected by 2013.

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency has notified Congress sept. 29 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Sweden of 15 UH-60M Blackhawk Helicopters associated parts,...a complete package worth approximately $ 546 million.

[Hurricane]

It would be awsome if these could be painted in splinter-camo colours (after the afghan-ops)

[Canberra TT.18]

Remarkable,

So no extra NH.90, they still hold 7 options (I believe)
the UH-60 are only avialable in 2013, so still osme time.

But nice to see an extra Blackhawk operator in Europe (well maybe).

Pieter

[wonju666]

Current issue of Defence Helicopter magazine contains an interview with the CEO of Sikorsky. Sweden is mentioned in this interview as a new customer so it seems we're indeed in for a new type of HKP!

[Stratofreighter]

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... quest.html

Announced by the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency, the possible Foreign Military Sale would come in addition to Stockholm's ongoing acquisition of the NH Industries NH90.

Its defence forces helicopter wing has so far received four of the type from a delayed 18-aircraft contract for the European type.

"Due to the delay in getting the NH90 operational the government took a decision in the beginning of this summer that Sweden should buy a helicopter system that could be operational in 2013," the nation's Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) says.

Sweden's introduction of the NH90 is running late

“We are looking at helicopter systems from several countries to see what is possible to purchase with that timeline, but at the moment we can’t comment on specific types,” the FMV says.

If advanced, a sale could support Swedish and coalition personnel in Afghanistan, and would "enable the Swedish forces to address an urgent shortfall in combat search and rescue and medical evacuation transport capability," says the DSCA.

A decision on a new helicopter purchase could be made late this year, and the FMV stresses that Sweden will not cancel its NH90 procurement.

And also....

http://key.aero/view_news.asp?ID=2579&t ... n=military

Swedish Super Pumas converted

Three Eurocopter AS 332M1 (HKP-10B) helicopters have been returned to the Swedish Air Force.

October 4:

Three Eurocopter AS 332M1 (HKP-10B) helicopters have been returned to the Swedish Air Force after conversion for medical and casualty evacuation missions in Afghanistan as part of the Swedish International Security Assistance Force (ISAF).

The modifications have been done by Heli-One’s Norway facility at Stavanger Airport over the last 12 months.

The helicopters can now be changed between a troop transport, a medical evacuation or a casualty evacuation version in 30 minutes and can operate day and night.

The redeliveries follow an order for UH-60M Black Hawks from the Swedish government to undertake the casualty evacuation role from 2013.

The Swedish Air Force has nine HKP-10A/B/D helicopters in service since 1988.