Sikorsky to propose Armed Blackhawk helicopter to meet Philippines requirements

The Sikorsky S-70i Armed Blackhawk. Photo c/o Sikorsky PZL Mielec.

American helicopter company Sikorsky is set to make a proposal based on their S-70i Armed Blackhawk to meet attack helicopter requirements of the Philippine Air Force (PAF).

This was disclosed by Sikorsky’s regional executive Jon Rudy, with the Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) offer relying on commonality with the PAF’s upcoming fleet of S-70i Blackhawk, 16 units of which were ordered for the PAF’s Combat Utility Helicopter requirements.

According to Sikorsky, a 100% baseline commonality between the S-70i Blackhawk and Armed Blackhawk will provide economies of scale with regards to support, training and logistics. 

If needed, the Armed Blackhawks can also be reconfigured for other missions including air transport and humanitarian relief.

The S-70i Armed Blackhawks will be produced by Sikorsky’s Polish subsidiary PZL Mielec, which also builds the Blackhawks for delivery to the PAF. Should the PAF select the Armed Blackhawk, Sikorsky believes they can start delivery by June 2022, with the rest to be delivered in 2023.

The Armed Blackhawk will be equipped with a helmet targeting system, and the same combat loadout as attack helicopters, with up to 16 Lockheed Martin AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-surface missiles, or in a mix with other munition options including guided and unguided rockets, and forward-firing guns, plus pintle-mounted guns on the sides.

The PAF has previously selected the T129 ATAK attack helicopter from Turkish Aerospace Industries, but US government export restrictions has dragged a contract signing with the Philippines Department of National Defense (DND)

Boeing and Bell Helicopters are also pitching their attack helicopters, with the AH-64E Apache Guardian and AH-1Z Viper, respectively, competing with the Armed Blackhawk under a US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) proposal.


[1] Flight Global
[2] Jane’s