For over 40 years, Black Hawk helicopters have been among the deadliest, most effective tools available to modern militaries. After its experiences in the Vietnam War in the 1960s and ’70s, the US military knew just how essential it was to have tough, multi-role helicopters available. Not only were these aircraft useful for rapidly transporting combat personnel to and from battlefields, they could even remain on the front line to provide direct support. However, the existing Huey helicopters were now out of date.
Two US companies, Boeing Vertol and Sikorsky, went head-to-head with their rival designs for the new combat helicopter, with the latter finally winning the contract with its S-70 prototype. Since the model first took to the skies in 1974, a huge number of variants have gone into production, each one with its own specific role to play in a combat zone. For instance, the secretive MH-X version – used during the mission to kill Al-Qaeda’s chief – was rumoured to be equipped with stealth technology, making it almost undetectable.