Sikorsky S-67 Blackhawk
Experimental high-speed attack helicopter
First flight: August 20, 1970
As the AH-56 Cheyenne program proceeded with numerous technical issues, Sikorsky saw an opportunity to compete in the gunship-type aircraft market. In 1969, under company funds, Sikorsky built the S-67 Blackhawk (Note that this is one word, not to be confused with the later UH-60 Black Hawk, two words). The S-67 was a true “skunk works” type of development, completed in a remarkably short nine months and at a cost of less than $3 million. Design was initiated in November 1969, fabrication started in February 1970, and first flight occurred on Aug. 20, 1970.
The S-67 consisted of an all-new, narrow, tandem two-person fuselage combined with the full dynamic system from the S-61/H-3 production helicopter, including the rotors, drive system, and engine installation plus the hydraulic and electrical systems. The forward pilot’s station used a side arm controller in place of the conventional cyclic stick.
It was a “semi-compound” including a wing but not auxiliary propulsion. It was proposed for the attack mission, where it could carry 7,000 lb (3.2 t) of arms and ammunition. It could use existing weapons, such as the turret-mounted 7.62 gun, 20- and 30-millimeter cannon, the 40-mm grenade launchers, and wing-mounted rocket and TOW missile pods.
The aircraft flew from 1970 to 1974. Pilots reported that it was very smooth and responsive. It was very maneuverable and performed loops, rolls and split-S maneuvers during numerous flight demonstrations. On Sept. 1, 1974, the S-67 was conducting a flight demonstration at the Farnborough Air Show in England. During a tight maneuver close to the ground, it crashed and was destroyed. The aircraft had flown a total of 598 hours. With no real prospects for production, this ended the program.
Additional Information Sources:
- VFS Vertipedia, Sikorsky S-67 Blackhawk
- Sikorsky Archives, Sikorsky S-67 Blackhawk
- “Sikorsky Testing Fast Armed Helicopter,” Aviation Week & Space Technology, Sept. 21, 1970
- “Sikorsky Unveils New Gunship,” Rotor & Wing, Nov/Dec 1970
- “Blackhawk Exhibits Speed, Agility,” Pilot Report, Aviation Week & Space Technology, Feb. 15, 1971
Description: Paul Fardink, Lt. Col., US Army (Retired)
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