Blackhawk Serial Number Batches

[Brendan Cowan]

The Australian Army Balckhawks have three serial number batches:

A25-101 to A25-114
A25-201 to A25-225
A25-301 to A25-303 (Maintenance Trainers/simulators)

Does any one know the reason for splitting the serials?

The third batch makes sense as they are not flying airframes. But there must have been a reason for making the initial split between the first two groups.

Even if they are from different orders/contracts - why was it necessary to start the second serial number batch from the 200's?

Are there suffient equipment/configuration differneces to make it simpler to adminsister?

Any thoughts, theories or even facts appreciated.

Cheers

Brendan C

(PS: I thought that it was about time we had a discussion thread active in the Army forum too ;) )

[Dean]

Since we are on the subject of Blackhawks.....

Each aircraft has a name on the forward engine cover. Does any one have a list of these. I had about 12 of them but have since lost them.

Can anyone help out?

[darren.crick]

G'day Dean,

some are on our website, but we do not have a complete list yet...


Darren

[Dean]

Darren,

These three names were noted recently.

107 Formidable
223 Patriot
220 Hussar

[Brendan Cowan]

A25-221 was noted as "Phoenix" with 171 SQN Bravo Company during Ex Talisman Sabre (June 2005).

[Brendan Cowan]

So my summary so far has 17 named Balckhawks so far:

101 Pegasus
107 Formidable
108 Vigilance
110 Apocalypse
114 Cossack
202 Vengeance
203 Endeavour
207 Calaphract
211 Dragoon
215 Excalibur
218 Invincible
219 Harlequin
220 Hussar
221 Phoenix
222 Sabre
223 Patriot
225 Bold

Any more folks?

BTW, any theories yet on the reason for three serial batches?

BC

:huh:

[Brendan Cowan]

I have a few questions about A25-207 "Calaphract".

1) What does "Calaphract" mean?

2) Is it a mispellling of the more obvious "Cataphract"?

Cataphact fits with the very military naming of the the others.

It's meaning is:

The Cataphract (Greek κατάφÏ?ακτος) was a type of heavy cavalryman used primarily in eastern and southeastern Europe, in Anatolia and Iran from late antiquity up through the High Middle Ages. Nations deploying cataphracts at some time in their history included the Sarmatians, Parthians, Sassanids, Armenians, Pergamenes, Romans, Byzantines, Chinese and others.

Cataphracts were the heavy assault force of most nations that used them, acting as shock troops supported by light or heavy infantry and foot or mounted archers. Supporting archery was deemed particularly important for the proper deployment of cataphracts. The Parthian army that defeated the Romans at Carrhae in 53 BC operated primarily as a combined arms team of cataphracts and horse archers against the Roman heavy infantry.

A cataphract charge was generally more disciplined and less impetuous than the charges of the knights of Western Europe, but very effective due to the discipline and the large numbers of troops deployed.


Does anyone know?

BC

[Demon50]

Hi Brendan

Those 17 names are the ones I have - sorry, can't add any more to the list.

Whilst on this subject, the Blackhawk con numbers have puzzled me for some time. I thought they may have been either complete or modified US Fiscal Year serials but this does not appear to be the case.

For instance, A25-108 is shown as c/n 70-1140 which I thought may have been Fiscal 87 - ie 87-01140. However, the nearest I can find is 87-0140 which is a Gulfstream C20E and the first Fiscal 87 Blackhawk I can find is a US Army machine, 87-24579.

I use Joe Baugher's site as my reference as it seems to be the definitive work on US military serials.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

Bob

[darren.crick]

Brendan,

the different Serial ranges has me puzzled as well, I remember talking about it with someone at avalon a few years back.

"Calaphract" simply hasnt been misread has it?

Bob, 70-xxxx I think refers to S70- (Construction) numbers... I thought they were US Serials once too but I doubt they are.

Darren

[Dean]

My understanding was that these aircraft were NOT assigned US Army serial numbers as they are an export version of the UH-60A. Hence their actual designation S-70A-9.

I believe that they did not receive US serial numbers because of the purchasing process differed from the manner in which other aircarft would receive serial numbers. I also believe that the H model Hercs did not receive US serial numbers as well for this same reason.

[Brendan Cowan]

Thanks to all,

I agree - australia's Blackhawks were never assigned US fiscal year serials, only C/N's from Sikorsky.

AS for "Calaphracht" versus "Cataphract", I suspect that the later is correct, But i've seen it referred to as the latter too many times to be sure. even the photos I have seen of her have not been clear enought to be able to tell for sure. I would love to see some definitive proof either way.

The serial batches remain a mystery for now!

Cheers

Brendan C

[Brendan Cowan]

Darren, Jan & Gordon,

Two further thoughts - for what they're worth:

1) Can we update the Blackhawk web page to include all the known names that we have collected here.

2) Can we appeal for more names and serial batch explanation (long with the know Blackhawk name list) in the next newsletter?


:)

Cheers

BC

[darren.crick]

Brendan,

I'll email Jan regarding the request as I dont think she is in the forum's yet. As for the blackhawk page... Bob is here and participating so I'm sure he will get everything into the page.

I have also cc'd Len Avery, who is one of our team members and does alot of Army Aviation research for us, regarding the names as well.

Darren

[Demon50]

Hi guys

I updated the Blackhawk page on 5 October with a few extra names so the 17 names known so far should be listed. As with all such things, the information recorded is only as good as the information received.

Thanks also for the replies about the serials. It makes sense now that the "70" denotes the Australian S70A and the next four digits the Sikorsky line number.

I hope to add a few more names in November as a major ADF display is being held at RAAF Pearce on 19/20 November, the first such display since May 1996. At least one of each aircraft type in ADF service is supposed to be on show so many of us in the West are looking forward to this event.

[Demon50]

Further to my most recent post, I'm now even more confused !

For A25-108, the "con no" is shown as 70-1140 l/n 0926 and A25-109 is 70-1144 l/n 0930 but A25-101 is just shown as 854 !

Now I don't know the significance of the four digits after the prefix "70" and assume that l/n 0926, l/n 0930 and 854 etc etc are the actual Sikorsky line numbers of the machines produced and may have no connection with the other four digits after the "70" prefix which may be an Australian factory identifier.

All of the con number, l/n information was received from another (forgotten !)source which I have been unable to verify from any other published material that I am aware of.

[Brendan Cowan]

Thanks Darren. :D

[darren.crick]

This came my way today... this is the complete list!

The following details relate to the current location of the Army Aviation’s Black Hawk Fleet and the names which have been allocated to the individual aircraft as at 07 November 2005.

Acft S/No Acft Name Current Location of Aircraft
A25-101 “Pegasus� BAE Townsville, undergoing major service or modification.
A25-102 “Arion� Army Aviation Training Centre Oakey
A25-103 “Armageddon� BAE Townsville, undergoing major service or modification.
A25-104 “Rampage� Army Aviation Training Centre Oakey
A25-105 “Dauntless� BAE Townsville, undergoing major service or modification.
A25-106 “Lancer� 171 Avn Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-107 “Formidable� 171 Avn Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-108 “Vigilance� 171 Avn Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-109 “Aegis� Army Aviation Training Centre Oakey
A25-110 “Apocalypse� B Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-111 “Barbarian� B Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-112 “Saracen� B Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-114 “Cossack� Army Aviation Training Centre Oakey
A25-201 “Hercules� ARDU
A25-202 “Vengeance� 171 Avn Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-203 “Endeavour� 171 Avn Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-204 “Warhorse� B Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-205 “Raptor� BAE Townsville, undergoing major service or modification.
A25-206 “Resolute� B Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-207 “Calaphract� BAE Townsville, undergoing major service or modification.
A25-208 “Vanquish� Army Aviation Training Centre Oakey
A25-210 “Dragoon� 171 Avn Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-211 “Viper� B Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-212 “Waler� 5 Avn Regt (Tech Spt Sqn)
A25-213 “Tenacious� 171 Avn Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-214 “Tempest� Army Aviation Training Centre Oakey
A25-215 “Excalibur� 5 Avn Regt, (Tech Spt Sqn)
A25-218 “Invincible� B Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-219 “Harlequin� 5 Avn Regt, (Tech Spt Sqn)
A25-220 “Hussar� 171 Avn Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-221 “Phoenix� BAE Townsville, undergoing major service or modification.
A25-222 “Sabre� B Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville
A25-223 “Patriot� 5 Avn Regt, (Tech Spt Sqn)
A25-224 “Destrier� Army Aviation Training Centre Oakey
A25-225 “Bold� B Sqn, 5 Avn Regt Townsville

[Brendan Cowan]

Wow - That nails it pretty comprehensively! :P Brendan C

[Demon50]

Hi Brendan et al

I updated the Blackhawk page on 10 November with extensive new information.

You will be pleasantly surprised.

Cheers

Bob

[Brendan Cowan]

Well done Bob! You must have revised just about every entry! :D BC

[Demon50]

Hi Brendan

I haven't read the Message Board for a few days so was unaware of Darren's post when I posted mine on Friday. Yep, just about every Blackhawk had a change and you may have also noticed some minor changes to f/f and delivery dates.

From what I have been told, the source is impeccable and this is THE definitive list.

I wish updates to other aircrfat types were that easy !

One small point, do you think the names should be in BOLD or ITALICS to make them more prominent ?

Cheers

Bob

[Brendan Cowan]

Bob,

Yep, it's pretty rare to be able to touch just about every airframe in the set with new/confirmed information.

Fortune favours the bold - (and I've never been a big fan of italics!). Bold always seems more pleasing to the eye!

Cheers

BC B)

[Brendan Cowan]

BTW, I wonder if the new source can explain the serial batch split? BC <_<

[darren.crick]

Guys, info from Len Avery...

---

The Black Hawks were introduced into service in two phases, that is why they are not consecutive numbers. The first 14 aircraft of the Phase 1 were delivered in 1988/89 while the next 25 Phase 2 aircraft were delivered post July 1989.

Only three of the first fourteen S-70A-9 aircraft had been delivered by the end of July 1988.

I do know for a fact that A25-201 was accepted into service by the Army on 25 May 1991. This was actually the 39th aircraft accepted into service and it was delivered to 5 Avn Regt on 13 June 1991.

A25-101 and 201 were built in the United States whilst it is my understanding that the rest of the aircraft were assembled in Australia however, I don't know where A25-102 was built or when it had its first flight but, I will try and find out.

For some reason I think A25-102 was also built in the States however I will get back to you on that.

Back in 1988 there was a plan to proceed with a further Phase 3 buy of Black Hawk helicopters for Army Aviation however, due to a number of problems associated the Army's lack of capacity to meet the operating costs and its lack of manpower to man the aircraft this option didn't proceed.

I do not have the specific dates that each aircraft was introduced into service however, I will endeavour to find out for you and the team.

---

[Brendan Cowan]

Thanks Darren & Len - we're getting close to nailing this one! :D BC

[darren.crick]

A bit of histry for you... (person who supplied to remain anon)


The search for an Iroquois replacement, the New Utility Helicopter (NUH), commenced in the early 1980's as Air Staff Target 404, and a Request for Tender was issued on April 19 1984. Competitors responding for this order were the Aerospatiale AS.332B Super Puma, Westland's W30-400, the Bell JVX tilt-rotor, the Sikorsky S-70A (or UH-60) Black Hawk, and a development of the Augusta Mongoose. The Sikorsky S70-B Seahawk had already been selected by the RAN for anti-submarine and surface targetting roles, so Sikorsky was able to push the Black Hawk's similarity.
With the introduction of the S-70B helicopter, the RAN applied to the RAAF for an alphanumeric prefix, and in March 1985, the RAAF assigned the allocation A24. The RAN applied N24 as the serial prefix to these aircraft. In November 1985, the NUH was allocated the A25 identification prefix. The Black Hawk, having first flown on October 17 1974, had already been selected by the US Army as a "Huey" replacement in 1976. This, together with its Seahawk commonality, and a superior hot-and-high performance, led to the Black Hawk selection. An initial order was placed for 14 aircraft on May 29 1986.

During 1986, after much vigorous debate, the decision was made to pass control of the battlefield helicopters from the RAAF to the Army. The RAAF was to see the Black Hawk into service and the 14 aircraft would then transfer to the Army.

The first Australian Black Hawk, designated S-70A-9 and serialled A25-101 (Sikorsky c/n 701067) flew at the Statford, Connecticut plant on September 11 1987. After being handed over to the RAAF on December 31, it was flown to RAAF Amberley by C-130 and delivered to 9SQN on February 27 1988. By this stage, some 900 Black Hawks had been delivered to the US Army. Meanwhile, licensed assembly in Australia had started in April 1987 with Hawker De Havilland (HdH) at Bankstown as prime contractor. The remaining 13 aircraft of this Batch One order to be assembled at HdH were serialled A25-102 to A25-114 (c/n between 701089 and 701240).

The first of these, A25-102 was handed over at Bankstown on May 12 1988 and was received at 9SQN the following day. From August to October 1988, A25-102 was tested at the US Naval Air Test Centre at Patuxent River, USA for electro-magnetic interference. Over this period, A25-101 was attached to ARDU for gunnery trials.

During Christmas 1988 9SQN relocated to RAAF Townsville and on February 15 1989, was disbanded. Production delays at HdH had led to A25-114 being delivered twelve months late, so only the eight RAAF Black Hawks delivered by this date were handed over to A Squadron of the Army's 5th Aviation Regiment. Subsequently, all Black Hawks from the HdH production line were delivered to the Army.

In May 1987, an additional 25 Black Hawks had been ordered. These Batch Two aircraft, with minor changes from the first 14, were serialled A25-201 to A25-225 (c/n between 701292 and 701455). Also, the External Stores Support Systems (ESSS) equipment was obtained for most of the Black Hawks. These are sub wings which enable the carriage of additional fuel tanks, an important improvement to range for operation in Australia's vast north.

A25-201 was completed in 1989 and retained by Sikorsky in the US as a development vehicle for a number of Australian-requested engineering changes. It was formally delivered to the Army on June 13 1991. Most of this batch were delivered to the 5th Avn Regt at Townsville to complete the equipment of A Squadron and to equip B Squadron. The number of Black Hawks in service then made Australia the largest operator of the type outside the USA.

The last aircraft off the HdH production line A25-225 was completed five months ahead of schedule and delivered to the Army on January 30 1991. The first aircraft had taken 30,000 manhours to complete, the last less than 10,000 manhours. In army service the 39 Black Hawks are flown operationally by the two squadrons of the 5th Avn Regt at Townsville and in the training role by the School of Army Aviation at Oakey. In addition, one aircraft is operated for development flying at ARDU. One of the school's aircraft, A25-217, was lost in an accident near Oakey in June 1992 and two more were lost in a collision during training exercises.

During the 1993 Cambodian Elections, six Black Hawks were committed to provide support for the United Nations peacekeeping efforts. The Black Hawks were flown to Cambodia in May 1993, inside USAF C-5A Galaxy transport, and returned several months later after the successful conclusion of the elections.

TECHNICAL DATA

(Sikorsky S-70 Black Hawk)

Description: Four crew multi-role battlefield transport helicopter capable of carrying 10 troops.

Power Plant: Two 1723shp General Electric T700-GE-701A-1 turboshafts.

Dimensions: Diameter of main rotor 53ft 8in (16.39m); length 50ft 1in (15.26m); height 16ft 10in(5.13m).

Weights: Empty 11,284lb (5118kg); loaded 22,000lb (9979kg).

Armament: Door-mounted 7.62mm machine guns.

Performance: Max speed 160 knots (296km/h); cruising speed 145 knots (268km/h); range internal fuel 324 NM (600km); rate of climb 450ft (137m)/min; service ceiling 19,000 ft (5790m).

[darren.crick]

Aparently 4 Blackhawks are also going to Pakistan...

[Martin Edwards]

are the Blackhawks ours?
They would feel at home with the Aussie built Mirages and ex-RAAF Hercules!

[Brendan Cowan]

:o Will we need another website for the REAPAF? (Royal Ex Australian Pakistani Air Force)

They seem to be our biggest customer!

;)

BC

[darren.crick]

yep, still trying to ID the four of our blackhawks which are going to Pakistan for 3 months...

[Brendan Cowan]

Update:

I have positively ID'd 112 & 219 as Blackhawks deployed to Pakistan/Kashmir.

http://www.defence.gov.au/oppakistanassist/images/gallery/20060123/index.htm

Interestingly, one (112) has acquired a large Australian Flag on the port engine nacelle.

Not sure if it appears on other positions or whether other airframes have been similarly embellished.

Two down - two to go.

Cheers

BC

[Brendan Cowan]

Another Update:

1) 222 & 225 are the other two deployed Blackhawks.
2) The Flags are painted on both sides on all deployed Blackhawks.
3) A boxing Kangaroo was painted on at least one airframe.

See:

http://www.defence.gov.au/oppakistanassist/gallery.htm

BC

[goggsy]

Hi there. I have just stumbled onto this site and found the data here to be very comprehensive. I am an ex airframe/engine fitter serving at 5Avn between 1991 and 1998 working on both the Blackhawks and Chinooks.
Just to clear up some points that have been made in this forum;
S- Sikorksy
70 Year of Design
A Airframe Designation
-9 Australian Version (9th derivative)

Also in the technical data
VNE = 193kts
cruise = 150kts
VNE ESSS = 178 kts

Basic weight ~12250lbs
Max gross weight ESSS config. 24500lbs
Roll rate 110 degrees/sec


Also from the top of my head A25-102 was built by Dirty Harry's
An interesting point with 101 and 201 was that they did not suffer corrosion problems to the same extent as the rest of the TVL fleet. Ironically though, 101 did suffer tail cone cracking earlier than the rest (possibly due to agressive testing by certain pilots earlier in the show as well as it being the test airframe at ARDU for years). 201 did eventually give in to the corrosion issue after extensive sea trial based out of Nowra. I think that there are slight differences between the 100 and 200 series but i cannot remember the specifics (I think the update to the 100 series was carried out at the major servicing R3).

[Brendan Cowan]

Thanks Goggsy and welcome aboard!

Thanks for the update.

Cheers

Brendan C

[Martin Edwards]

From Paul James


"Just reading Brendan Cowans question about Blackhawk batch numbers in the army section of the message board and was wondering if he had the answer to his question about 100 and 200 series Blackhawks. The answer is that there were some minor differences in the build of the 100 and 200 series. They included the use of 0.020" skin on the 100 series tailbooms and 0.032" on the 200 Series. The main landing gear had extra tie down points on a 200 series and the ESSS cowling was slightly different. Other differences were different styles of troop seat mounts. I cant remember anymore than that. All were eventually upgraded all to the 200 series specs including the skin on the tailbooms being done at the R3 or R4 servicing. I was a Blackhawk and Iroquois Maintainer at ASGW then a Blackhawk and Iroquois instructor at the school until 2007."

[cj0203]

'Calaphract' is incorrect.

Blackhawk 207 is actually 'Cataphract'

Cheers

Chris

This post has been edited by cj0203 on May 28 2011, 07:47 AM

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