The helicopter’s longevity is attributed to its adaptable airframe, which has transitioned from a tactical transport vehicle into a sophisticated multi-mission asset capable of electronic warfare, search and rescue, and precision assault.

The helicopter’s longevity is attributed to its adaptable airframe, which has transitioned from a tactical transport vehicle into a sophisticated multi-mission asset capable of electronic warfare, search and rescue, and precision assault.

Which countries around the world operate Black Hawk helicopters today?

Since its introduction in 1979, the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk has served as the undisputed backbone of US Army. This multi-mission war machine blends immense lifting power with unprecedented crash survivability, making it the premier rotary-wing aircraft for 28 nations worldwide.

Since its introduction in 1979, the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk has served as the undisputed backbone of US Army. This multi-mission war machine blends immense lifting power with unprecedented crash survivability, making it the premier rotary-wing aircraft for 28 nations worldwide.

What's so special about Black Hawk helicopters?

The US Army is actively trimming its massive Black Hawk fleet from 2,135 to 1,978 aircraft. By retiring 157 older models, the military is selling surplus helicopters to fund the advanced Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft arriving in the 2030s.

The US Army is actively trimming its massive Black Hawk fleet from 2,135 to 1,978 aircraft. By retiring 157 older models, the military is selling surplus helicopters to fund the advanced Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft arriving in the 2030s.

How many Black Hawk helicopters does the US really have?

Two US Army Black Hawk helicopters crashed during a routine training operation in the southeastern state of Kentucky on Wednesday, Governor Andy Beshear informed. Local media reports mentioned that at least nine soldiers were killed.&nbsp;

The army crew members of the 101st Airborne Division were flying two HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters around 10:00 PM ET (0200 GMT)&nbsp;in Kentucky's Trigg County airbase, located on the&nbsp;Kentucky-Tennessee border&nbsp;when the accident transpired.&nbsp;

"At approximately 10 p.m. yesterday, two 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) helicopters crashed in Trigg County, Kentucky. The crewmembers were flying two HH60 Blackhawk helicopters during a routine training mission when the incident occurred," US Army Fort Campbell said in a statement.&nbsp;

It added that the "status of the crew members" was&nbsp;unknown at the&nbsp;time. "The command is currently focused on caring for the service members and their families. More information will be released as it becomes available. The incident is under investigation."&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/taliban-operatives-attempt-to-fly-us-helicopters-three-get-killed-in-a-crash-515052">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Taliban fighters try to fly US Black Hawk helicopter, three get killed in crash</a>&nbsp;

According to local witnesses, the two choppers came incredibly low to the ground and after passing over some civilian houses, a loud bang was heard. The exact cause of the crash is not known.&nbsp;

“The status of the crew members are unknown at this time. The command is currently focused on caring for the servicemembers and their families,” the statement added.&nbsp;

"We’ve got some tough news out of Fort Campbell, with early reports of a helicopter crash and fatalities are expected. @kystatepolice, @KentuckyEM and local officials are responding. We will share more information as available. Please pray for all those affected," tweeted Beshar.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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We’ve got some tough news out of Fort Campbell, with early reports of a helicopter crash and fatalities are expected. <a href="https://twitter.com/kystatepolice?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@kystatepolice</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/KentuckyEM?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@KentuckyEM</a> and local officials are responding. We will share more information as available. Please pray for all those affected.
— Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) <a href="https://twitter.com/GovAndyBeshear/status/1641302697851736067?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 30, 2023</a></blockquote>
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Local reports have stated&nbsp;that the US military's Safety Investigation Team from the Combat Readiness Centre in Alabama will be dispatching its representatives to the scene to ascertain the cause of the crash.&nbsp;

The weather conditions at the time of the crash were pristine with light to no wind.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

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Two US Army Black Hawk helicopters crashed during a routine training operation in the southeastern state of Kentucky on Wednesday, Governor Andy Beshear informed.

Two US Army Black Hawk helicopters crashed during a routine training operation in the southeastern state of Kentucky on Wednesday, Governor Andy Beshear informed. Local media reports mentioned that at least nine soldiers were killed. The army crew members of the 101st Airborne Division were flying two HH-60 Black Hawk helicopters around 10:00 PM ET (0200 GMT) in Kentucky's Trigg County airbase, located on the Kentucky-Tennessee border when the accident transpired. "At approximately 10 p.m. yesterday, two 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) helicopters crashed in Trigg County, Kentucky. The crewmembers were flying two HH60 Blackhawk helicopters during a routine training mission when the incident occurred," US Army Fort Campbell said in a statement. It added that the "status of the crew members" was unknown at the time. "The command is currently focused on caring for the service members and their families. More information will be released as it becomes available. The incident is under investigation." ALSO READ | Taliban fighters try to fly US Black Hawk helicopter, three get killed in crash According to local witnesses, the two choppers came incredibly low to the ground and after passing over some civilian houses, a loud bang was heard. The exact cause of the crash is not known. “The status of the crew members are unknown at this time. The command is currently focused on caring for the servicemembers and their families,” the statement added. "We’ve got some tough news out of Fort Campbell, with early reports of a helicopter crash and fatalities are expected. @kystatepolice, @KentuckyEM and local officials are responding. We will share more information as available. Please pray for all those affected," tweeted Beshar. We’ve got some tough news out of Fort Campbell, with early reports of a helicopter crash and fatalities are expected. @kystatepolice, @KentuckyEM and local officials are responding. We will share more information as available. Please pray for all those affected. — Governor Andy Beshear (@GovAndyBeshear) March 30, 2023 × Local reports have stated that the US military's Safety Investigation Team from the Combat Readiness Centre in Alabama will be dispatching its representatives to the scene to ascertain the cause of the crash. The weather conditions at the time of the crash were pristine with light to no wind. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

US: Nine soldiers feared dead as two US army helicopters crash during training in Kentucky

In what is considered the 'deadliest' alleged atrocity involving Australian Special Forces, unarmed civilians were shot in cold blood to cover tracks. Nearly one year ago, ABC Investigations revealed how Australian special forces killed up to 10 unarmed Afghan civilians during a 2012 raid in Kandahar Province.

In what is considered the 'deadliest' alleged atrocity involving Australian Special Forces, unarmed civilians were shot in cold blood to cover tracks. Nearly one year ago, ABC Investigations revealed how Australian special forces killed up to 10 unarmed Afghan civilians during a 2012 raid in Kandahar Province. More details have emerged about the same. As a part of the investigation, ABC contacted some of the men of the Zulu 1 patrol. Violating the Australian Rules of Engagement, the SAS patrol commander, Sergeant T, ordered the American door gunner to fire around the Afghans below the chopper to stop them from scattering. Soon after the Black Hawk set down in the field, Sergeant T himself opened fire at the farmers in the field. Also Read | Afghanistan soldiers conduct operation against Taliban An Australian Special Operations officer, deployed to Afghanistan, alongside the Special Air Service Regiment (SAS), agreed to speak with ABC Investigations on the condition of staying anonymous. One of the men on that patrol returned to the base and told the officer what unfolded in that field. ABC quoted the officer saying, "He told me from his perspective what happened, which was that the patrol commander had accidentally shot one of this group of farmer. And then they made the decision that they couldn’t leave anyone behind to tell [what happened]". This is when the officers decided to kill all of the farmers. The man told the officer that there was a very young person, about 13 or 14. "He described shooting someone as they hid within the tractor wheel, cowering. I can’t remember if that was the 14-year-old … I believe he said he shot more than one, but I can’t remember the exact details. “Honestly, it just sounded like a bit of a spree", quoted ABC. The SAS soldier who was on the raid and who made the admission to the Special Operations officer is now known as Soldier C. The raid is termed as the worst one-day death toll uncovered till the date of alleged unlawful killings by Australian soldiers in Afghanistan.

Australia: New information unveiled on the deadliest alleged war crimes in Afghanistan

Taiwan top military commander died in a chopper crash after the helicopter made an emergency landing in the mountainous northern area near Taipei.

The country's defence ministry said seven others were also killed&nbsp;in the crash.

Chief of general staff General Shen Yi-ming, 62, was killed after the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter crashed, Taiwan's defence ministry said. Authorities said at least five people trapped inside the wreckage were rescued.&nbsp;

Authorities had launched a rescue mission after aviation authorities lost contact with the chopper on Thursday morning. Reports said the chopper disappeared from radar less than 15 minutes after taking off.

Taiwan top military commander died in a chopper crash after the helicopter made an emergency landing in the mountainous northern area near Taipei. The country's defence ministry said seven others were also killed in the crash.

Taiwan top military commander died in a chopper crash after the helicopter made an emergency landing in the mountainous northern area near Taipei. The country's defence ministry said seven others were also killed in the crash. Chief of general staff General Shen Yi-ming, 62, was killed after the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter crashed, Taiwan's defence ministry said. Authorities said at least five people trapped inside the wreckage were rescued. Authorities had launched a rescue mission after aviation authorities lost contact with the chopper on Thursday morning. Reports said the chopper disappeared from radar less than 15 minutes after taking off.

Taiwan's top military commander killed in helicopter crash

The United States risks providing Afghanistan with state-of-the-art Black Hawk helicopters that the country's embattled air force does not have the pilots to fly nor the engineers to maintain, a US&nbsp;watchdog said on Tuesday.

The warning, by the US Special Inspector for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), comes amid widespread fears that the Afghan military will struggle to cope with a looming pullout of allied foreign troops after more than 17 years of conflict.

Talks between US&nbsp;envoys and Taliban negotiators due to resume in Qatar on Feb. 25 are likely to centre on the withdrawal of thousands of US-led NATO forces and a ceasefire to end America's longest war.

The US&nbsp;military has provided the first 16 of a scheduled 159 UH-60 Black Hawks to the Afghan air force and its special forces, a move the watchdog says raises concerns about the country's ability to absorb the rest by 2023.

It calls for efforts to improve pilot training timetables and English-language skills, as well as build a teaching programme for Afghan maintenance crews to replace foreign contractors.

"Given concerns that the Afghan air force and special mission wing may not be able to fully use all 159 aircraft when delivered, the Department of Defence runs the risk of wasting US&nbsp;taxpayer dollars to purchase aircraft the AAF and SMW cannot fly or maintain," SIGAR said.

It urged that the training and maintenance be linked to the pace of deliveries so that Black Hawks "will not sit idle in Afghanistan without enough pilots to fly them".

Even reduced targets of US-led training for 320 pilots may not be met, the watchdog added, with a class attrition rate of 26 per cent.

The Black Hawks are intended to replace a fleet of ageing Soviet-era helicopters that now serve as workhorses for the Afghan air force, which is battling Taliban militants who have stepped up attacks over the last two years.

The hardline Islamist movement now controls or contests districts across nearly half of Afghanistan.

In December last year, Reuters reported that Afghanistan's fleet of 47 M-17s was under pressure from a deadly mix of hard use and poor maintenance.

As the pace of operations against Taliban and Islamic State insurgents has risen, crews said they faced pressure to take shortcuts with maintenance, an issue U.S. military advisers saw as a major concern for the fledgling Afghan air force they were trying to build up, the Reuters report said.

SIGAR said the US&nbsp;military "acknowledged that the UH-60 has performance limitations when compared with the MI-17, which can fly higher and carry more passengers".

Most missions flown by the Afghan air force did not need the additional capability provided by the Mi-17, the watchdog, quoting the US&nbsp;military.

The United States risks providing Afghanistan with state-of-the-art Black Hawk helicopters that the country's embattled air force does not have the pilots to fly nor the engineers to maintain, a US watchdog said on Tuesday.

The United States risks providing Afghanistan with state-of-the-art Black Hawk helicopters that the country's embattled air force does not have the pilots to fly nor the engineers to maintain, a US watchdog said on Tuesday. The warning, by the US Special Inspector for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR), comes amid widespread fears that the Afghan military will struggle to cope with a looming pullout of allied foreign troops after more than 17 years of conflict. Talks between US envoys and Taliban negotiators due to resume in Qatar on Feb. 25 are likely to centre on the withdrawal of thousands of US-led NATO forces and a ceasefire to end America's longest war. The US military has provided the first 16 of a scheduled 159 UH-60 Black Hawks to the Afghan air force and its special forces, a move the watchdog says raises concerns about the country's ability to absorb the rest by 2023. It calls for efforts to improve pilot training timetables and English-language skills, as well as build a teaching programme for Afghan maintenance crews to replace foreign contractors. "Given concerns that the Afghan air force and special mission wing may not be able to fully use all 159 aircraft when delivered, the Department of Defence runs the risk of wasting US taxpayer dollars to purchase aircraft the AAF and SMW cannot fly or maintain," SIGAR said. It urged that the training and maintenance be linked to the pace of deliveries so that Black Hawks "will not sit idle in Afghanistan without enough pilots to fly them". Even reduced targets of US-led training for 320 pilots may not be met, the watchdog added, with a class attrition rate of 26 per cent. The Black Hawks are intended to replace a fleet of ageing Soviet-era helicopters that now serve as workhorses for the Afghan air force, which is battling Taliban militants who have stepped up attacks over the last two years. The hardline Islamist movement now controls or contests districts across nearly half of Afghanistan. In December last year, Reuters reported that Afghanistan's fleet of 47 M-17s was under pressure from a deadly mix of hard use and poor maintenance. As the pace of operations against Taliban and Islamic State insurgents has risen, crews said they faced pressure to take shortcuts with maintenance, an issue U.S. military advisers saw as a major concern for the fledgling Afghan air force they were trying to build up, the Reuters report said. SIGAR said the US military "acknowledged that the UH-60 has performance limitations when compared with the MI-17, which can fly higher and carry more passengers". Most missions flown by the Afghan air force did not need the additional capability provided by the Mi-17, the watchdog, quoting the US military.

Afghanistan lacks pilots, engineers to handle Black Hawk helicopters, US watchdog warns