Golden Age Weaponsmiths UH-60 Black Hawk:

First introduced in the Nineteen-Seventies, the UH-60 formed the backbone in many respects of the helicopter forces of the United States Army. In addition to being operated by the United States Army, modified versions were operated by the United States Navy, Coast Guard, and Air Force. It was also operated by multiple other military forces around the world, law enforcement, fire fighting, and other civilian roles. Produced by Sikorsky Aircraft, thousands of UH-60 and modified versions were built in total before production was completed.

The helicopter was upgraded several times including improved cockpit designs, more powerful engines, improved flight management systems, wide cord rotor blades, and the addition of fly by wire systems. Still, with the new high strength alloys and composites, the helicopters were considered obsolete. A few were kept flying with the helicopters reinforced with the new materials. Soon after the introduction of the new materials, there was also the introduction of fusion turbines giving virtually unlimited range. With the new engines, the remaining military UH-60 Black Hawks were retired although a number remained in civilian services.

As with many other retired military weapon systems, a number were preserved in careful storage. While many of these were destroyed by the coming of the Rifts, a surprising number survived. Eventually, Golden Age Weaponsmiths has been able to find a number of these helicopters and as with other designs, they decided to upgrade and recondition the old helicopters for further service. As with most Golden Age designs, they are far less expensive than new helicopters. As a result, they are popular among some clients including starting mercenary companies without the budget for new vehicles.

As with most Golden Age Weaponsmith designs, one of the keys to the upgrade is the replacement of the original skin with new composites and alloys. In addition, the rotor blades are replaced by new blades made from advanced composite materials. With these materials, the helicopter can withstand far greater damage although still quite fragile compared to modern designs.

In common with other designs, the weapon systems are also upgraded. In addition to having the potential to carry two door gunners, the helicopter has two stub wings known as External Stores Support System (ESSS) which can be used for missiles, gun pods, and additional fuel tanks. Each stub wing has two hard points which are modified so that the helicopter can carry four short range missiles, a single mini-missile pod, or a gun pod on each hard point. Originally, the Hellfire and stinger missiles couple be carried as far as missiles along with rock pods.

Available gun pods include 30 mm and 12.7 mm mounts. The 30 mm mount is the same one as is carried on the AH-64 although fixed forward on the UH-60 Black Hawk. While 7.52 mm could originally be carried, they were deemed as being too light to effectively deal with most targets. As far as ammunition, the original ammunition is replaced by ramjet ammunition. Using this ammunition, the gun pods inflict similar damage to most rail guns. While four gun pods can be carried, it is usually limited to a pair of gun pods with one on each side. Some crews may elect to replace the conventional weaponry with light energy weaponry.

A pair of 12.7 mm guns can also be carried in the side doors of the helicopter. As with the gun pods, originally 7.62 mm guns could be carried but they are also considered too light for most applications. Like the gun pods, the original conventional ammunition is replaced with ramjet ammunition made by Wellington Industries. If the helicopter is carrying fuel tanks for extended range, the door guns have their arc of fire greatly restricted. Similar to the gun pods, some crews may elect to replace the 12.7 mm mounts with light energy weapons.

The engines and flight system are extensively rebuilt so that they are fully operational. The helicopters are brought as close to zero flight hour status as they can be. In most cases, all of the seals and fitting require replacement. In some cases, the electronics are replaced by new systems, usually civilian systems to reduce costs. In many cases, the replacement systems are smaller than the original components that they replace.

Maximum speed of the UH-60 Black Hawk around one hundred and sixty knots with a typical cruise speed of one hundred and fifty knots. Can operate on a single engine at a much slower speed. One internal fuel, the helicopter has a maximum range of three hundred and twenty nautical miles. Instead of cargo, a pair of additional fuel tanks with each able to extend range by one hundred and fifty nautical miles. In addition, the helicopter can carry external fuel tanks on the stub wings which extend by one hundred and fifty nautical miles as well. External fuel tanks are designed to be crash survivable. The UH-60 Black Hawk can be refueled by hover refueling.

As far as carrying capacity, the helicopter is designed to be able to carry eleven troops in addition to the standard crew of four. For medivac roles, the helicopter can carry up to six stretchers. Instead of passengers, can carry up to twelve hundred kilograms of cargo internal or just over four thousand kilograms slung underneath.

Model Number: UH-60

Class: Utility Helicopter

Crew: Four (can be flown by one) - Pilot, Co-Pilot, 2 Crew / Door Gunners

Troops: Eleven (Six on Stretchers)

M.D.C. by Location:

	ESSS Stub Wings (For Ordnance / Fuel Tanks):	30 each
	GAU-19/A 12.7 mm Heavy Machine Gun - Optional:	20 each
	M230 30 mm Chain Gun - Optional:	30 each
	[1] Main Rotor (Four Blade):	24 (6 per blade)
	[1] Tail:	35
	Landing Gear (3):	3 each
	Reinforced Cockpit:	40
	[2] Main Body:	100

Notes:

[1] Destroying the rear rotor or one of the main blades will cause the helicopter to fly at half speed, wobble and is -6 to parry, -3 to strike, and -40% on piloting skill/maneuvers. Smart pilots will land as soon as possible. Destroying the main top rotor will knock the helicopter out of the sky! Roll under the piloting skill -30% for a successful crash landing (due to the reinforced nature of the UH-60 Black Hawk, crew takes only half damage from an impact.

[2] Destroying the main body knocks the helicopter out of the sky and renders it completely useless.

Speed:

Driving on Ground (Taxiing): Only possible for take offs and landings as well as for parking and storage. Speed is 40 mph (64 kph) when traveling and not on take off or landing. Helicopter can land and take off from primitive air fields.

Flying: Hover to 184.1 mph (160 knots / 296.3 kph) with a ceiling of 19,000 feet (5,790 meters.) Cruise speed is 172.6 mph (150 knots / 277.8 kph.) The helicopter has great maneuverability and vertical take off and landing capabilities.

Range: Has a combat range of 368.2 miles (320 nautical miles / 592.6 kilometers) with ordnance load. Can fly for approximately two and a half hours. In place of cargo, can carry two internal fuel tanks which each increase range by around 172.6 miles (150 nautical miles / 277.8 kilometers) each. Can also carry up to four external fuel tanks on stub wings that each extend range by around 172.6 miles (150 nautical miles / 277.8 kilometers) each. Usually carried in pairs. The Helicopter can be refueled in the air by hover refueling.

Statistical Data:

Height: 16 feet 10 inches (5.12 meters).

Rotor Width: 53 feet 8 inches (16.36 meters.)

Length: 64 feet 10 inches (19.76 meters.)

Weight: 10,624 pounds (4,819 kilograms) empty, 22,000 pounds (9,980 kilograms) loaded, and 23,500 pounds (10,660 kilograms) maximum take off.

Power System: Conventional, Two 1,500 kW (2,000 shp) General Electric T700-GE-701D turboshafts, uses aviation fuel.

Cargo: 2,640 lb (1,200 kg) of cargo internally or 9,000 lb (4,100 kg) of cargo slung externally

Black Market Cost: 600,000 credits (Can sometimes sell for double that price)

Weapon Systems:

Two (2) ESSS (External Stores Support System) Stub Wings: Each stub wing has two hard points which can be used to carry gun pods, mini-missile pods, short range missiles, or additional fuel tanks. When loaded with ful tanks, restricts the fire of the door gunners. While four gun pods can be carried, usually they are carried in pairs. Also, all gun pods are usually the same type, all 12.7 mm or all 30 mm.
1. GAU-19/A 12.7 mm Heavy Machine Guns: If carried, these are usually mounted on the inner hard points of the stub wing with a pair carried. Fixed forward three barrel Gatling guns and controlled by the pilot or copilot. Golden Age Weaponsmiths simply replaced the standard ammo with Wellington Industries WI-20 Heavy Ramjet rounds.
  
  Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914.4 meters).
  
  Mega Damage: One Gun: 1D4 per single round. A burst of 40 round from one cannon does 5D6. Two Guns: 2D4 per single round per gun (two rounds fired.) A burst of 40 round from both cannon (eighty rounds fired) does 1D6x10. Four Guns: 4D4 per single round per gun (four rounds fired.) A burst of 40 round from both cannon (160 rounds fired) does 2D6x10.
  
  Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the pilot / copilot (usually 4 or 5).
  
  Payload: 600 rounds (15 bursts) each gun pod.
2. M230 30 mm Chain Gun: Basically the same gun as is carried on the AH-64 Apache except fixed forward. If carried, these are usually mounted on the inner hard points of the stub wing with a pair carried. Controlled by either the pilot or copilot of the Black Hawk. They have replaced the standard ammo with Wellington Industries mega damage, armor piercing ramjet ammunition which allows the aircraft to hold it own and surpass many other Rifts aircraft and helicopters in firepower.
  
  Maximum Effective Range: 6,000 feet (1,830 meters).
  
  Mega Damage: One Gun: 2D6x10 for a burst of 20 round, 3D6 for each round. Two Guns: 4D6x10 for a burst of 40 round (20 each gun pod), 6D6 for two rounds (one each gun pod.) Four Guns: 8D6x10 for a burst of 80 round (20 each gun pod), 12D6 for four rounds (one each gun pod.)
  
  Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the co-pilot / gunner (usually 4 or 5).
  
  Payload: 300 (15 bursts) each gun pod.
3. Short Range Missiles: The Black Hawk cannot carry medium or long range missiles on theses hard points but can carry four short range missiles each hard point.
  
  Maximum Effective Range: Varies by short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
  
  Mega Damage: Varies by short range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
  
  Rate of Fire: Missiles can be fired one at a time per hard point. Multiple hard points can be linked as one attack but must all be short range missiles.
  
  Payload: Four (4) short range missiles per hard point (for a maximum of 16 short range missiles)
4. Mini-Missile Pod: Large capacity mini-missile pod. These pods are not carried on the body of the aircraft but are only carried on the wings. The aircraft normally carries missile pods for ground strafing, anti-troop, and anti-emplacement attacks. Normal missile used are armor piercing, plasma, or fragmentation mini-missiles.
  
  Maximum Effective Range: Varies with missile types, mini-missiles only (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
  
  Mega Damage: Varies with mini-missile types(See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
  
  Rate of Fire: Each pod can fire missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), eight (8), or sixteen (16 - all.) and can be linked with other mini missile pods for greater number of missiles (Counts as one attack no matter how many missiles in volley)
  
  Payload: Each pod carries sixteen (16) mini-missiles.
Two (2) GAU-19/A 12.7 mm Heavy Machine Guns - Optional: These guns are carried in the side doors of the helicopter to offer cover fire for the helicopter. When carrying external fuel tanks, firing arcs are restricted by the fuel tanks. These are three barrel Gatling guns identical to those carried on the outer hard points. Golden Age Weaponsmiths simply replaced the standard ammo with Wellington Industries WI-20 Heavy Ramjet rounds.

Maximum Effective Range: 3,000 feet (914.4 meters).

Mega Damage: One Gun: 1D4 per single round. A burst of 40 round from one cannon does 5D6.

Rate of Fire: Equal to the combined hand to hand attacks of the door gunner (usually 4 or 5).

Payload: 600 rounds (15 bursts) each mount.
One (1) Anti-Missile Chaff/Flare Dispenser: Use the same effects as the TRIAX model. However, each time the system is engaged, the system fires off one chaff and 1D4 flares. Rifts Earth decoys systems are assumed to not operate effectively against Phase World missiles due to technological difference. Reduce effects by 20% against smart missiles (Add +20% to rolls for smart missiles.)

Effect:
Also note that the chaff cloud will also blind flying monsters that fly through cloud. They will suffer the following penalties: reduce melee attacks/actions, combat bonuses, and speed by half. Duration: 1D4 melee rounds.

Payload: 20 chaff, 40 flares. Each time the system is engaged, the system fires off one chaff and 1D4 flares.

Special Equipment:

The equipment of the Black Hawk has been upgraded but many of the original systems are still on the helicopter. Consider the helicopter to carry all standard equipment that robot vehicles carry (not including loudspeaker and microphone) plus the following extra systems:

E.S.M.: Radar Detector, Passively detects other radars being operated.
FLIR: Forward Looking Infrared. Allows pilot and weapons officer to get visuals on targets at night.

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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).

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