With over 40 years of operational service, the Black Hawk continues to demonstrate its reliability, versatility, and readiness across a wide range of mission profiles in more than 40 countries.
Macklin, a former U.S. Army pilot who flew the Black Hawk for 26 years, underscored the platform’s combat-designed heritage. “It’s not a commercial aircraft adapted for military use, it was built for combat from the start,” he said. The helicopter has accumulated over 15 million flight hours, including 5 million in combat, reflecting its robust performance and durability in challenging conditions.
Addressing the helicopter’s regional relevance, Macklin pointed to ongoing operations of both the S-70 and UH-60L variants in Latin America. He also welcomed the latest foreign military sale to Brazil, which includes 12 UH-60M Black Hawks—currently the most advanced version of the aircraft.
Macklin concluded by expressing enthusiasm for continued engagement with international partners. “We’ve had very positive conversations here at the show, and we’re looking forward to expanding cooperation with countries in support of their operational requirements,” he said.
Watch the full interview with Jay Macklin to learn more about Sikorsky’s global strategy and the future of the Black Hawk helicopter:
