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Sikorsky UH-60M - BlackHawk 0.2.2

(29 reviews)

By melbo

14 Screenshots

Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk for X-Plane 11 and X-Plane 12


General Information about the real helicopter:

    Manufacturer: Sikorsky Aircraft (now part of Lockheed Martin)
    Role: Tactical transport, medical evacuation (MedEvac), air support, cargo transport, search and rescue
    Crew: 2 pilots + 2 crew members (depending on the mission)
    Capacity: Up to 11 fully equipped soldiers or over 1,100 kg of internal payload

Technical Specifications:

    Length: Approx. 19.8 m (with rotating main rotor)
    Height: Approx. 5.4 m
    Rotor Diameter: Approx. 16.4 m
    Maximum Takeoff Weight: Approx. 10,659 kg
    Engines: 2 × General Electric T700-GE-701D turboshaft engines
    Power Output: Approx. 2,000 hp per engine

Performance & Flight Capabilities:

    Maximum Speed: Approx. 280 km/h
    Range: Approx. 500 km (without external fuel tanks)
    Maximum Altitude: Approx. 6,000 m
    Hover Ceiling: Approx. 4,000 m

Upgrades Compared to Older Versions:

    Glass Cockpit: Digitized avionics with multiple Multi-Function Displays (MFDs)
    Fly-by-Wire Controls: Improved flight control and stability
    More Powerful Engines: Increased thrust and efficiency
    Enhanced Rotor Blades: New composite materials for better durability and performance
    Extended Mission Capabilities: Integrated sensors and advanced communication systems

Armament (Optional Depending on Mission):

    Side-Mounted Machine Guns: M240H (7.62 mm) or GAU-19 (.50 cal)
    Rocket Systems: Optional external weapon stations for rockets or Hellfire missiles

The UH-60M is the current standard model of the U.S. Army and has been exported to various allied nations. It offers improved payload capacity, advanced avionics, and greater survivability compared to older models like the UH-60A and UH-60L.

( source: ChatGPT )

 

Main features of the model

  • detailed 3D model and 3D cockpit with lots of animations

  • configurable options and parts

  • 4 Multi-Function-Display (MFD) glass cockpit

  • 2 CDU/CMA/FMS units , with VR compatible popups

  • 2 FDCPs (Flight Director Control Panel) with rotary switch support

  • FMOD sounds

  • FLIR cam with target locking

  • AviTab integration into MFDs and tablet

  • scriptable flight plan and mission system

  • integrated formation flight function

  • integrated multi camera/roles system

  • integrated OSM queries to find mission spots

  • 26000+ lines of SASL3 code , highly performance optimized

 

Installation

Unzip the downloaded file inside the "Aircraft" folder of your choice.

Read the UH60M-OpsManual.pdf in the "docs" folder, especially the parts about startup and throttle.

Mac users might run the script "mac_setup.sh" in the plugins folder. This clears the quarantine flag from the SASL plugin.

 

Setup

Read about the various start and configuration options in the UH60M-OpsManual.pdf

 

Support Thread

 

Videos

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLtspyUlCsgSZDCGbs1DjPPdm96kQ2mA7F

How-To clips
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfriXZv96VE&list=PLtspyUlCsgSaIVPmxsf2exIWePyU4dzOE

 


Special thanks to:

@WalSch for providing me the static UH-60M model/mesh which he purchased a while ago. "3d model by maskand (Semyon Ovchinnikov) at TurboSquid, bought by WalSch and used with written consent". The license allows modification and redistribution.

@alpeggio for giving me permission to use his C130 aerial re-fueling acf mod, which is based on @brett s's C130, modified by LR's Javier Rollon and/or David Austin.

@brett s providing valuable feedback and doing the performance tuning.

@scud-runner (https://www.youtube.com/@scud-runner) for giving me permission to use his sounds and photos.

@derizu for taking care of the Paint-Kit

@troopie for providing his "Instrument Maker" to the community

 

In the last 2 years I have learned a lot about X-Plane, SASL, FMOD, Blender, AC3D, Gimp and stuff and fortunately I came across someone who helped me to put all that together to make it to what you can download here. Thanks Walter !

It is my first aircraft in X-Plane. Even I did not have created the basic fuselage myself, there was a huge amount of things to do until it looks like it does today. And there is still a lot to do. So watch out for future updates.

This helicopter is and stays freeware for the flight simulator “X-Plane”. It should be used for entertainment purposes only. It is not supported or endorsed by Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation. The commercial use or distribution is not allowed in any way.

 

 

Edited by melbo
updated text to mention the XP12 version

What's New in Version 0.2.2

See changelog

Released

0.2.2

fixed HRST rope length

improved rotor downwash

removed debug BALL from airfuel module

fixed CHECKLIST and automatic mission start

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User Feedback

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Guido Piermarini

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

Amazing job with this helicopter! I enjoy fly this bird. Thanks Melbo

  • Thanks 1

yyyee

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

This has to be one of the best freeware planes out

a. The graphics, both inside and outside, are great

b. Animation is great

c. Options are fantastic

d. Flies well,

it is one of the must-haves for an X-Plane experience. I have to say that 5 stars is not enough.

  • Like 2
  • Thanks 1

Wabwile

  

Wow at last we have it in Xp12, I love the flight dynamics and it in general. just one thing to add on your creation. maybe consider adding gunners into the sides and also more crew on people on board would be best.

Response from the author:

thanks !

still more crew ? OK, gunners I'll put on the list..

Screenshot (376).png

  • Thanks 2

fleurenf

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

@melbo , Many thanks for this great Chopper. It flies great in XP12.

  • Thanks 1

313_Nevo

  

hey @melbo , thx for this great freeware helo . looks good and flies nice ! and great its for XP11 , still valid platform for devs imo , not like moving target as the XP12 is with all the updates :)

  • Thanks 1

Dameron

   4 of 4 members found this review helpful 4 / 4 members

Thank you so much, for bringing back old memories, have over 1000hrs with the s70i - civil version of the Mike, we have in Colombia. Anyway this is an awesome helicopter, very much alike the real thing. thanks again, appreciate the hard work.

uh60m - 2025-05-09 21.04.33.png

Response from the author:

I'm thankful for every review, but a voice who has more than 1000 hours on the real bird and still is happy with the simulated version, is one I particularly like to hear 🙏

  • Like 4
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Jabloney

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

This is an amazing helicopter to fly in XP12. I cannot believe the amount of systems depth that you have put into this. It flies incredibly well. I had a blast on my first flight. It feels very right when flying. A perfect blend of stability and agility. The searchlight feature is so much fun to play around with! Simply a fantastic rendition of the UH-60. Well done!

  • Like 2
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Wangila

  

Honestly speaking this is a master piece, thank you all

  • Like 2
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VHL

  

I agree with others that this is one of the very best if not the Best ever for X Plane. Thanks for taking the time to create this beautiful helicopter for us. The Blackhawk is a neat military helicopter and its really nice to have such a high-fidelity simulation of one in X Plane Good Luck and Highly Recommend this to all Helicopter Pilots. Best Wishes To you.

  • Like 3
  • Thanks 1

Ianlo587

  

best blackhawk in xp11 forever

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1

ShaunAT

  

Great work, a joy to fly, congratulations!

  • Like 1
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Captain Dudley

  

I can't believe it took me this long to actually find this gem. I've been collecting almost every payware rotorcraft available for XP12, patiently waiting for some major vendor to model this most obvious choice and it was right here all along. Yes there have been other versions of the Blackhawk but they were simplistic and and for XP11 only. The Blackhawk is complex, not at all like other helis and only Melbo's creation seems to reflect that. And so far it appears fully compatible with XP12. I'm still learning the systems, there's a learning curve but I'd expect nothing less from a faithful version. I'm always in awe of how a dedicated team of skilled developers can put together something like this, let alone one person. Then giving it away, no less. We are unworthy! Fantastic job.

 

  • Like 2
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Oltimer

  

This is a smashing piece of work, as said by many!  A small and neglectable comment might be, that I hardly have time to download the latest version, until a new one is due. Might cause some confusion short term, but who can question a prolonged Christmas Season? So keep it up at whatever pace! - lol. Looks like the finished article already. Like the somewhat shinier fuselage and sharper interior! Thank you!

Response from the author:

Thanks..  

and yeah, I now what you mean. However I do not like to keep the feet calm knowing that there is a "knowing bug" out there. There are small buggies where I can say, "well... no one gets killed by that.. live with it"  and bugs like the "fuel lever" thing where there was a good chance that many people cannot start the engines from Cold&Dark and wondering whether they did something wrong or have to deal with a bug. Being able to start the engines I declared as "critical" and there we have it :)

Looks like the "critical" stuff is fixed now (at least no complains yet) and I try to not push more updates before eastern. I think my wife will love that idea too :D

 

  • Like 3

nedw

  

An outstanding aircraft that should be in every helisim flyer's hangar.  Exceptional quality throughout, flies nicely, looks great and I really can't believe that it's freeware.

  • Like 2
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duckdrawings

(edited)

  

This should be a comment but it won't let me do it right now... but I've had problems with the "start with engines running" option. The helicopter states it has low RPM, and nothing in the manuals show how to fix it. I'll give it five starts because I've heard it's good but I just want that cleared up. Thanks!

BTW I use X-Plane 12

Edited by duckdrawings

Response from the author:

As mentioned several times, it‘s not xp12-ready yet. So thanks for not rating negativ because of issues related to xp12. 
 

As @rvatta was saying, even with „starting with engines running“ the throttle starts at 50% only (if you do not have a joystick axis mapped to „wing sweep“).  So you will have to slowly move both levers forward until the governors kick in. Above 50% both levers are linked together. Means you only need to move one (the right) lever (engine 2). 

  • Like 1
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Xim

  

Fantastic thank you for doing this, its so good

image.png

  • Like 3
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kemosabe

  

I'm still reading the manual, and checking out the cockpit. Everything looks high quality.

A perfect hangar-mate for karlL's Kiowa Warrior.

A gift to the community.

  • Like 2
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Burkeyboy

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

Flies great.  Many thanks for your fine efforts.

  • Like 1
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Sazspotting

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

Amazing Blackhawk model with great attention to detail!

It flys and looks amazing, a great addition to your hanger for sure.

Amazing model, thank you

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maxifra

   2 of 2 members found this review helpful 2 / 2 members

Very Very Nice mod!
hope to see some liverys for it :D

  • Like 2
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WalSch

  

A very impressive job! The cockpit in particular has undergone an incredible transformation from its original state. And it was very interesting to follow how you kept coming up with new gadgets ("Hirnfürze" 😉) in the course of development. Thank you very much!

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BobHR

(edited)

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

Wow ! and thanks ! 

I tried this out yesterday and it just flew beautifully ! 

Then a night flight to play with the "oooh..Shiny" parts

and finally today.....read the manual !!

I`ve been doing a lot of C-130 flying and during my first flight in it,used this Blackhawk to return and recce a particularly-nasty part of a route, in a valley. Below  a power station which had had a SAM on it. So full of wires and a SAM ! 

But the handling was so smooth and reliable that I was able to approach a particular wire-trap :one high and safe ,and one low and deadly. I had time to study it and then work safely through.

I`m looking at the yellow FMS displays now and love the simple Map mode . It`s great for a quick check of progress and any track deviation....but there is so much more I`m realising 😃

The pics illustrate the flight with initial entry to the valley, then the nasty bit where you can see the low wire against the first part of the water in the distance The higher wires are easy to see in the centre (at the top part of the water).Then what lay ahead: the open (relatively) valley.

b Entering valley first wires.png

c The trap one medium and one low.png

e Clear and Free .png

Edited by BobHR

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henkfix

(edited)

   5 of 5 members found this review helpful 5 / 5 members

exellent Blackhawk. Works pretty good in XP12 allready. Fantastic; unbelievable that this is freeware. But hey! Beautiful piece of work!!! I Would love to make some liveries like I made before for the previous Hawk version I posted ages ago. This, this is the thing. Wow. Great thanks

Edited by henkfix

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rvatta

   1 of 1 member found this review helpful 1 / 1 member

Just brilliant, TNX

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