MIELEC, Poland, December 7, 2021 – The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has completed its certification of the S-70M Black Hawk helicopter — a new type designation – by issuing a Restricted Category Special Airworthiness Certificate.
FAA certification, and the establishment of a pilot type rating, will broaden the market for the military-designed, dual-use helicopter. It will allow civil and commercial operators in the United States and beyond to purchase new Black Hawk aircraft directly from PZL Mielec, which was not previously possible.
The baseline S-70M Black Hawk is identical to the S-70i variant already built in Mielec. Both helicopter types will be manufactured on the same production line.
The S-70M certification approves the aircraft for three special purpose operations, agriculture; external cargo (allowing use of the aircraft’s 4,082 kg cargo hook) and forest and wildlife conservation, including dispensing of liquids on wildfires.
“The ability to produce an FAA-certified helicopter at PZL Mielec opens up new opportunities on the aviation market that have not been available for Black Hawk,” said Janusz Zakręcki, president and general director PZL Mielec.
“The new Black Hawk variant is a response to the special requirements of our customers globally. Even in countries where FAA certification is not recognized, we expect this achievement to make it easier for civil aviation authorities to approve the S-70M for challenging operations in their own airspace.”
PZL Mielec is Poland’s top defence exporter, building Black Hawk helicopters for global markets, Black Hawk cabins for export to Lockheed Martin’s U.S. production line and the M28 twin-turboprop aircraft.
Since first opening its office in central Warsaw in 1997 Lockheed Martin has continuously developed its relationships with the Polish MOD, industry and academia. Today the company partners with Poland on a variety of defense and security programmes including military aircraft, missile defense, precision fire, radar and helicopters for both military and civilian operational needs.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.
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