Ukrainian intelligence successfully utilizing US Black Hawk helicopter in combat
Photo: Main Intelligence Directorate
Ukrainian special forces have mastered and are using the American Black Hawk helicopter in combat.
The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported this.
ABC News reported that there is only one such helicopter in Ukraine, although they are on the "wish list" of the Ukrainian military. Currently, the US does not allow it to be sold. The publication notes that the Black Hawk for special forces was purchased from a private seller, raising $6 million for it.
Photo: Main Intelligence Directorate
Photo: Main Intelligence Directorate
Photo: Main Intelligence Directorate
Photo: Main Intelligence Directorate
The intelligence reported that their elite troops underwent instruction in working with the Black Hawk helicopter at a frontline base. The troops rehearsed disembarking combat squads onto the battlefield, evacuation, dropping down from ropes, and night–time flights.
Both fighters and helicopter pilots note that it is significantly ahead of the Soviet analogs Mi-8 and Mi-24 in almost all characteristics: reliability, ease of operation, maneuverability, horizontal flight speed, combat survivability, etc. It is capable of being in flight continuously for about three hours and can easily cover a distance of more than 600 kilometers.
This type of helicopter is designed to fire guided and unguided missiles of the Hellfire type, as well as to support infantry and transport various cargo. A helicopter takes 3-4 seconds to unload a group of 12 fighters and evacuate another from the battlefield.
According to the Main Intelligence Directorate, Ukrainian crews mastered the Black Hawk "in hours."
"Having experience operating the Mi-8 and Mi-24, we flew on the Black Hawk the first day we received it. We just sat down and flew," the Main Intelligence Directorate quotes a pilot.
The first helicopter pilot with the call sign "Maestro" said that the level of Ukrainian pilots had grown enormously over the past year. Now Ukraine can easily receive about a hundred Black Hawks, approximately 50 attack helicopters of the Apache type, and approximately 40-60 cargo helicopters of the Chinook type. Such a number, according to Maestro, could be accepted with minimal time for pilot retraining.
The first Black Hawk of Ukraine is already taking an active part in combat operations, particularly on enemy territory, the Main Intelligence Directorate noted.
