The U.S. Army’s special operations forces (SOF) are renewing their fleet of rotary wing aircraft with a comprehensive modernization program to excel in current and future mission challenges. From the MH-6 “Little Bird” light attack helicopter to the MH-60 “Blackhawk” medium attack helicopter to the MH-47 “Chinook” heavy attack helicopter, significant improvements are being made to nearly every segment of the fleet. These modernization efforts were showcased in detail by officials at the Global SOF Foundation Special Operations Forces Week on Thursday.
MH-6 Little Bird: The Agile Fighter Evolves
Designed specifically for the Special Operations Command (SOCOM), the MH-6 “Little Bird” helicopter, which has high firepower despite its small size, is still in development. “When operators want to get to your front door, this is the aircraft they use,” said Paul Kylander, Program Executive Office-Rotary Wing (PEO) product manager.
The project, called the “R” model, is redesigning the entire fuselage of the current fleet with lighter and more durable materials. This aims to reduce the weight of the helicopters, allowing them to reach higher speeds and a longer range. Kylander also stated that the project includes more advanced avionics systems and a cockpit modernization that will improve tactical mission management. It was stated that these comprehensive upgrades are part of a long-term effort that will continue until the helicopter’s service life in 2034. Future plans include a Block 2035 upgrade or a potential phase-out from the fleet between 2042 and 4. Work is also underway to lighten the helicopter’s main and auxiliary fuel tanks, as well as the assault and attack pylons.
MH-60 Blackhawk: Expanding Capabilities
Major improvements are also being made to the MH-60 Blackhawk medium attack helicopter fleet. Lieutenant Colonel Cameron Keogh said the MH-60 fleet is currently receiving software updates, improved navigation tools for difficult visibility conditions, more sensitive sensors, sensor data fusion and next-generation tactical communications systems.
While work continues to extend the life of the Blackhawk helicopters’ YT706 engines, future development plans include the construction of a common open-architecture cockpit. On the weapons systems side, the Blackhawk is adding a Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM), Compatible Lightweight Armament Wing (CLAW), M-230 recoil dampeners, a GAU-19 weapon pod and a Helmet Display Tracking System (HDTS). These additions provide the Blackhawk crew with more options and flexibility when performing their missions. “It’s very useful to have a lot of tools at your disposal to do your job,” said Lt. Col. Keogh, emphasizing that these improvements will increase operational effectiveness.
Blackhawk helicopters will also feature significant improvements, including an improved crew chief seat, AN/APQ-187 Silent Knight Radar nose cowl reconfiguration, Up-Turned Exhaust System II (UTES II), Engine Inlet Barrier Filter (EIBF) to protect engine performance in dusty environments, and the more powerful and efficient GE T901 Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP).
MH-47 Chinook: Targeting Increases in Payload, Range and Speed
On the heavy attack helicopter MH-47G Chinook front, Lt. Col. Thomas Brewington, who serves as Chinook Product Manager within the Rotary Wing PEO, stated that work continues intensively to meet increasing load, range and speed demands. Brewington added that the oldest helicopter in the Chinook fleet will soon be retired after a long service of 59 years.
But the aging platform is undergoing a significant modernization, with the current flight control paddles being replaced with a new system called the Active Parallel Actuator Subsystem (APAAS). Brewington said the system “significantly enhances human flight by providing haptic feedback to prevent the pilot from exceeding the aircraft’s performance limits, resulting in reduced pilot workload during the most critical phases of flight while improving overall safety and operational utilization.”
Lt. Col. Brewington said the system tests, conducted at Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama, in October 2024, were successful, allowing a Chinook crew to make a “non-intervention” landing at a predetermined location. Brewington added that the APAAS system is an important “stepping stone” to autonomous pilot assistance, and that the development could potentially pave the way for Chinook helicopters to conduct more autonomous missions in the future.
The comprehensive modernization efforts for these rotary-wing platforms used by the U.S. Army’s special forces are aimed at significantly increasing the superior mobility, firepower, range and situational awareness capabilities that special operators will need in future operational environments. These improvements are a key part of a long-term strategy to maximize the effectiveness and safety of U.S. special forces in a variety of missions around the world.
