The contract will be signed with the U.S. company ACE Aeronautics, LLC, at a total value of US$ 229,970,155.78. It also includes the installation of the integrated BrIFD G5000H avionics solution, which will modernize the entire fleet of 24 UH-60L/S-70A helicopters operated by the FAB – the 11 newly acquired through the U.S. Blackhawk Exchange Sales Team (BEST) program, plus the 13 aircraft already in service.
UH-60L Black Hawk
The UH-60L Black Hawk is a widely used utility helicopter developed by Sikorsky Aircraft for the U.S. Army. The “L” model was introduced in the late 1980s as an upgraded version of the earlier UH-60A, featuring more powerful General Electric T700-GE-701C engines, enhanced transmission systems, and increased lift capacity. This modernization improved performance in hot-and-high environments and extended the aircraft’s service life.
Over 1,200 UH-60L helicopters were built between 1989 and 2007, making it one of the most produced variants of the Black Hawk family. As the U.S. Army transitions to newer versions such as the UH-60M and, in the future, the Future Vertical Lift (FVL) aircraft, many UH-60Ls are being retired from frontline service.
Rather than retiring them entirely, the U.S. military often transfers these helicopters to partner nations through programs like the Excess Defense Articles (EDA) or specialized initiatives such as the Blackhawk Exchange and Sales Team (BEST). These mechanisms allow allied air forces to acquire proven, cost-effective helicopters while maintaining interoperability with U.S. and NATO systems.
Second-hand UH-60L helicopters remain highly valuable due to their robust design, global logistics network, and versatility in missions ranging from troop transport and medevac to disaster relief and special operations. By pairing surplus U.S. Army Black Hawks with modern avionics upgrades, partner nations can extend service life for decades at significantly lower costs than new airframes.
ACE Aeronautics
ACE Aeronautics upgrade of the Austrian Black Hawk helicopters
ACE Aeronautics, LLC, headquartered in Guntersville, Alabama, is a U.S. aerospace company specializing in the modernization, systems integration, and sustainment of rotary-wing aircraft, with a strong focus on the UH-60/S-70 Black Hawk platform.
The company has built a reputation as one of the leading independent Black Hawk upgrade and support providers outside of Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin. ACE delivers avionics retrofits, mission system upgrades, maintenance, repair, overhaul (MRO), and pilot training services tailored to international customers seeking affordable modernization.
A signature capability is the integration of the Garmin G5000H BrIFD glass cockpit system, which replaces legacy analog instruments with advanced touchscreen flight displays, synthetic vision, and modern navigation/communication functions.
In 2019, ACE Aeronautics secured a contract with Austria’s Ministry of Defence for the delivery and upgrade of its Black Hawk fleet, including the design, manufacture, and installation of the ACE DECK VL-60 avionics system. The program marked a key milestone in Europe, validating ACE’s solutions for international operators.
Brazilian Air Force and the Black Hawk
The Força Aérea Brasileira (FAB) first introduced the Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk in the late 2000s to strengthen its medium utility helicopter fleet. The acquisition was driven by the need for a versatile, multi-role platform capable of operating in diverse environments, from the Amazon rainforest to coastal and mountainous regions.
Between 2006 and 2008, the FAB purchased 12 UH-60L Black Hawks through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. These aircraft were assigned to key squadrons:
- 7°/8° GAv “Esquadrão Harpia” (Manaus, Amazonas) – focused on Amazon surveillance, troop transport, and support for indigenous and border operations.
- 5°/8° GAv “Esquadrão Pantera” (Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul) – responsible for tactical transport, search and rescue, and support to the Southern Command.
- 2°/10° GAv “Esquadrão Pelicano” (Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul) – specialized in Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) missions.
The Black Hawk quickly proved to be an essential asset for both military and humanitarian missions, supporting:
- Counter-narcotics and border security operations in the Amazon region.
- Disaster relief and humanitarian assistance, including flood and landslide response.
- Troop and cargo transport in joint exercises with the Army and Navy.
VIP transport and special operations requiring rapid mobility.
Separately, the Brazilian Army operates a smaller fleet of four UH-60L helicopters, acquired in the late 1990s for use in peacekeeping missions under the Peru–Ecuador border monitoring mission (MOMEP).
This modernization reflects Brazil’s commitment to maintaining a reliable, battle-proven, and globally supported platform, ensuring operational readiness for the next two decades.
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Ace Aeronautics State of Alabama UH-60L Black Hawk in
Força Aérea Brasileira Brazil Selects Garmin G5000H for UH-60L Black Hawk Upgrade
