This is the UH-72A. It the new light support helicopter the Army plans on giving to the National Guard units to replace the H-60 Blackhawk.






























This is the current H-60

















I wonder if the new helicopter can carry the same amount of cargo and personnel? I suppose the gross weight will be less with the new one allowing for more useful load but the H-60 is well known for carrying the standard 11 man infantry unit; the (EC-135) certainly cannot match that. It looks like speed and altitude are comparable. Looking at the panel, im not sure I would feel comfortable taking fire behind the new helicopter verses the H-60. Taking fire either way would be a downer.

What amazes me is that the army still has birds out there that are still outfitted with round gauges and not flat screens. The, not so new anymore, flat panels are far superior to the antiquated avionics that is shown in the H-60 picture. Its sad when general aviation aircraft have better displays then the Army. Of course some Army helicopters are quite up to date. I bet that the aircraft that are not are assigned Guard and Reserve units.

It will be interesting to see if Utah receives any and if they do, when. By the time I go to flight school it might be for the new Lakota. It is kinda sexy looking. I like the esthetic's of both helicopters really. The new Lakota will make the transition to civilian flying far easier as numerous companies use the EC-135 for search and rescue, Airmed, and firefighting. Should be fun.