MH-60L DAP

A modified UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter, the MH-60L Direct Action Penetrator (DAP) is a gunship operated by the US Army's 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), or the 'Nightstalkers'. The DAP would not normally carry troops. Instead, it is used to provide close air support and escort for US special operations helicopters and ground troops.

The MH-60L is a highly upgraded UH-60 Blackhawk. Additions includes a FLIR (Forward Looking Infrared) camera and terrain-following radar, upgraded transmission and a host of defensive countermeasures. These souped-up Blackhawks need all this extra kit to carry out the demanding and dangerous missions asked of them.

MH-6OL DAP FEATURES

• all-weather capability
• air-transportable in US cargo planes
• extreme low level flying capability due to terrain following radar

A number of weapons can be attached to the helicopter via the external stores support system (esss), allowing for rapid reconfiguration to meet specific mission demands. Common lloadouts include rocket pods, M230 30mm chain guns, AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles,and trainable 7.62mm miniguns. Integrated fire control systems and a head-up-display (HUD) allow the crew to aim the weapons.

MH-60L DAPs have seen combat in Iraq, where their diverse weapons load and advanced sensors make them ideal for engaging insurgents.
(click here to see a video example of such combat)

MH-60L DAP Specifications

The MH-60L DAP's nose houses the Raytheon AN/AAQ-16 FLIR pod (lower) & AN/APQ-174B terrain-following radar (above)

Crew	4 - Pilot, Co-pilot & 2 door gunners
Engines	2 Two General Electric T700-GE-701C engines
Dimensions	L - 17.1m W (rotorspan) - 14.1m H - 4.4m
Weights	11,516 lbs (empty) 22,000 lbs (max loadout)
Max Speed	294 kph
Range	445 nautical miles
Armament	Various combinations of : M230 30mm cannon (1100 rounds) @ 625 rounds per minute M261 FFAR 2.75" 19-rocket pods. AGM-114 Hellfire anti-tank missiles FFAR rockets M134 7.62mm miniguns
Avionics	AN/AAQ-16D AESOP FLIR AN/APQ-174B Terrain Following Radar AN/ARN-148 Omega/VLF navigation M-130 chaff/flare dispensers AN/ALQ-144 IR jammer Radar / Laser warning receivers

AH-60L DAP configured with M230 30mm chain guns, M-134 Miniguns and FFAR rockets.

INTERNAL LINKS
mh-60l dap photos:
mh-60l dap firing rockets
mh-60l dap video:
mh-60l dap combat footage

EXTERNAL LINKS
Sikorsky Helicopters - info on the MH-60K helicopter