Article Posted on : - Feb 24, 2011

ABU DHABI (BNS): UAE’s Abu Dhabi Aircraft Technology (ADAT) has signed a deal with US’ Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. to jointly upgrade and weaponise 23 Black Hawk UH 60M helicopters.

Under the 993.5 million dirhams ($270.6 million) deal, 23 of the 40 Black Hawk helicopters being used by the UAE’s Special Operations Command will be equipped with four stations for fixing and discharging rockets, missiles and heavy caliber guns.

Management of the weapons system will be fully integrated into the digital cockpit, which also includes a helmet display. When not armed, the stations can be used to carry extended range fuel tanks, increasing the helicopter's long-range mission capability.

The deal will enable the Black Hawk helicopters to conduct a wide range of operations, including search and rescue, without air assault support.

The contract includes options for the remaining 17 aircraft, UAE's official WAM news agency said Thursday.

The deal will see a significant number of ADAT engineers working at Sikorsky Headquarters in the United States as part of the three year research and development phase, it said.

The contract was announced during the ongoing International Defence Exhibition (IDEX) at Abu Dhabi on Monday.