Colombia receives 5 Sikorsky S-70i helicopters

Colombia has received 5 new multi-purpose Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawk helicopters from the United States.  It is the first country in South America to have bought the aircraft.

The S-70i were custom made for the Special Forces of the Colombian Army. The aircraft were build at PZL Mielec, a subsidiary of Sikorsky in Poland. They join 96 UH-60L aircraft already in service in Colombia.

The Sikorsky S-70i is a medium transport and utility helicopter with the following specifications:

• a crew of 2
• a length of 19.76 m
• a rotor diameter of 16.36 m
• a height of 5.33 m
• a payload of 4000 kg
• a empty weight of 5350 kg
• a maximum takeoff weight of 10000 kg
• a maximum speed of 361 km/hr
• a range of 463 km with 20 minutes reserve
• a ceiling of 4000 m

The S-70i is powered by 2 General Electric T700-GE-701C turboshafts with, 1409 kW (1890 shp) each.

The Black Hawk helicopters can perform a wide variety of missions including:

• troop transport and air assault
• search and rescue (SAR)
• medical evacuation (MEDEVAC)
• cargo lift
• VIP transport

Over 3000 Black Hawk helicopters of various types are in service in over 30 countries around the world.


http://www.sikorsky.com/About+Sikorsky/News/Press+Details?pressvcmid=bd8830d295e8d310VgnVCM1000004f62529fRCRD

By Julian H. [CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Colombia orders another Airbus C295 transport aircraft

Colombia has ordered another Airbus C295 transport aircraft on top of the 5 it previously ordered. Four of these 6 are already in service with the first starting in 2008. The Colombian Air Force also operates 6 Airbus CN235-200 and 6 Airbus C212 aircraft.

The Colombian order brings the total number of C295 ordered to 115, of which 93 are in service in 15 countries. So far this year, 32 Airbus C295 and Airbus CN235 have been ordered.

The C295 is a versatile medium-sized tactical transport aircraft, which can be for a wide variety of civilian and military missions, including:

• personnel, troop and bulky/palletized cargo transportation,
• casualty evacuation,
• communication and logistics duties,
• certified air-dropping capabilities,
• maritime patrol,
• environmental surveillance

 http://www.airbusmilitary.com/LatestNews/tabid/176/ArticleID/238/ArtMID/681/Colombia-orders-additional-Airbus-Military-C295-transport.aspx

By Jwnabd [GFDL], via Wikimedia Commons