Which Blackhawk?

[Lace]

Wags latest video mentioned that they had enough data to produce a UH-60L right now, but were waiting for the data on the UH-60M.  This is post 2006, had more power and a glass-cockpit. and is probably a better fit for the AH-64 and OH-58s we have and will work better in GWOT scenarios.

However, I don't know why there seems to be an assumption that customers want the 'latest and greatest' versions of everything, when the older models are often more versatile, have a more storied history, and are generally more fun (or challenging) to fly.  Perhaps I'm alone in this, so I thought I'd pop up a poll to see if the forumites agree with ED on this approach.

[Jayhawk1971]

Or why not both? First the L, then, once ED has enough data to do the M, release that as well (similarly to Black Shark 1,2,3, A-10C/ A-10C II).  

[scommander2]

12 minutes ago, Jayhawk1971 said:

First the L, then, once ED has enough data to do the M

that is a great idea and a double win situation for us, why not

 

[Ornithopter]

47 minutes ago, Lace said:

Wags latest video mentioned that they had enough data to produce a UH-60L right now, but were waiting for the data on the UH-60M.  This is post 2006, had more power and a glass-cockpit. and is probably a better fit for the AH-64 and OH-58s we have and will work better in GWOT scenarios.

However, I don't know why there seems to be an assumption that customers want the 'latest and greatest' versions of everything, when the older models are often more versatile, have a more storied history, and are generally more fun (or challenging) to fly.  Perhaps I'm alone in this, so I thought I'd pop up a poll to see if the forumites agree with ED on this approach.

 

The UH-60L would be a good fit too, because it would fit into both 1991 and 2003+ Iraq wars, or even a later. I'd rather have the L. 

[Gunfreak]

Yaah. I really really really don't get why they are waiting for the M, when the L is much better fit for all the maps we have and probably will have.

I'm still hesitant about buying the Hook exactly because it's just too modern for most of the stuff I'm interested in.  And it's so modern it's impossible to "fake" older models from the 60s to 90s.

I don't want to drop of Eric Bana in a damn M. He deserves the L.

[Kev2go]

The L would be an L " badum tsss"

attempt at pun aside. I really do think Uh60M would fit better along what we have in terms of helos Like Ch47F,Ah46D and Oh58D all having glass cockpits. 

Edited March 2 by Kev2go

[MAXsenna]

Yes, please give us the L. The M can be done when available.

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[Northstar98]

L by a large margin:

• It is the perfect contemporary of the Hip we currently have (both are similar in role, size-ish and configuration and are from around the same timeframe (late 80s/early 90s).
• An L can stand-in for a Cold War A far better than an M can.
• It makes far more sense to offer an upgraded variant at a later date (as has already been done with the A-10C and with a hypothetical Ka-50) than to offer an older one (and ED have been fairly allergic to variants in the first place - better to offer one that offers more flexibility).
• The L offers more flexibility when it comes to missions, given that it can fit into much more historical scenarios. The M only fits GWOT and imagined scenarios, the L fits Gulf War, Iraq War, GWOT and imagined scenarios.

Edited March 2 by Northstar98

[Mud]

I voted for the L, but would also love the MH-60L DAP

[MAXsenna]

I voted for the L, but would also love the MH-60L DAP

Thanks! Didn't see the poll. Voted L. Hoping @Wags sees this.

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[Lace]

4 hours ago, Northstar98 said:

L by a large margin:

• It is the perfect contemporary of the Hip we currently have (both are similar in role, size-ish and configuration and are from around the same timeframe (late 80s/early 90s).
• An L can stand-in for a Cold War A far better than an M can.
• It makes far more sense to offer an upgraded variant at a later date (as has already been done with the A-10C and with a hypothetical Ka-50) than to offer an older one (and ED have been fairly allergic to variants in the first place - better to offer one that offers more flexibility).
• The L offers more flexibility when it comes to missions, given that it can fit into much more historical scenarios. The M only fits GWOT and imagined scenarios, the L fits Gulf War, Iraq War, GWOT and imagined scenarios.

 

This is pretty much how I see it.  Steam gauges don't feel out of place in a modern setting, but MFDs in an older historical one do.

[Dragon1-1]

The Lima for me as well. Steam gauges FTW. Besides, the Black Hawk Down bird was a Lima. That should be reason enough to decide the matter.  

[Jackjack171]

I voted for the M. If done right, this could roll over to the MH-60S for the Navy. The current UH-60L mod painted in Navy colors, is kind of abhorrent to be honest (can't unsee that damned antenna) and the cockpit just doesn't cut it. I see that others have posted about the historical benefit of having the Lima and I get it. But the throwing of lipstick on a pig and calling it an MH-60R/S is just cringe. IMHO, if you want to talk versatility, then the UH-60M/MH-60S is the way to go. 

BTW, in Black Hawk Down, the aircraft in the movie had a glass cockpit. Not sure about the IRL bird!

[Kev2go]

On 3/4/2025 at 7:49 PM, Jackjack171 said:

I voted for the M. If done right, this could roll over to the MH-60S for the Navy. The current UH-60L mod painted in Navy colors, is kind of abhorrent to be honest (can't unsee that damned antenna) and the cockpit just doesn't cut it. I see that others have posted about the historical benefit of having the Lima and I get it. But the throwing of lipstick on a pig and calling it an MH-60R/S is just cringe. IMHO, if you want to talk versatility, then the UH-60M/MH-60S is the way to go. 

BTW, in Black Hawk Down, the aircraft in the movie had a glass cockpit. Not sure about the IRL bird!

 

IN black hawk down those were the Mh60L. the modified more advanced variant the 160th SOAR flew. The regular army UH60, the UH60L was basically just a UH60A with updated powertrain and more powerful engine. Although looking at the DCS UH60L mod its a 1996 or later version given the presense of AN/ASN-128B GPS doppler system and AN/ARC220 radio, and an/avs7 clip on monacle hud system for night vision.

Edited March 6 by Kev2go

[Kev2go]

MH60L of course would be a far more versatile choice then Uh60L for DCS purposes  because  apart from more advanced avionics such as radar, FLIR,  partial glass cockpit 160th SOAR can configure them as gunships, so it would give virtual pilots more to do than just slingload supplies or deliver troops with. But GL finding documentation on this particular variant needed to make a study sim level simulation.