Bahrain launches UH-60M exports

Sikorsky announced Tuesday that the kingdom of Bahrain had signed a letter of acceptance for nine  Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, the first export sale for the variant. Handled through foreign military sales channels, the acquisition is costing $204 million. The UH-60M is the latest Black Hawk version, featuring uprated engines and gearbox, wide-chord rotor blades and a digital, open-architecture avionics suite. It has improved defenses and an active vibration cancellation system. The royal Bahrain air force already operates earlier UH-60A/L Black Hawks with No. 9 squadron.