The United States of America has placed an order for 16 helicopters with Lockheed Martin, requiring immediate delivery. The contract value was not disclosed; however, according to the Department of Defense budget for 2027, analyzed by AFP, one such helicopter is valued at slightly less than $40 million.
Colonel Ryan Nersta, responsible for procurement and holding special documentation on these helicopters, stated in his declaration that this contract will allow 'to ensure the maintenance of available, modern, and reliable helicopter capabilities for the Army and our allies.'
He also emphasized that this helicopter 'is a long-standing vital element' for North American forces, and this significance will last for the next fifty years.
The Black Hawk helicopter, which has been in use since 1979, is used by the US Army and National Guard, as well as armed forces worldwide for military missions, as well as surveillance and search and rescue tasks during natural disasters.
More than five thousand units have been delivered to 36 allied states of the US and have already accumulated over 15 million flight hours, five million of which were flown in combat operations.