U.S. Army Considers New Engines for MH-60M Black Hawk Upgrades

U.S. Special Operations Command officials discussed plans to upgrade MH-60M Black Hawk helicopters at the SOF Week conference. The upgrades depend on continued development of the Army's Improved Turbine Engine Program. Lt. Col. Aron Hauquitz, head of the Technology Applications Program Office, said the command is following the Army's engine work closely.

He stated that successful integration would create a Block 2 variant of the MH-60M.

Upgrade Timeline and Requirements Lt. Col.

2 or Block 2 upgrade program is scheduled to begin in fiscal year 2030. He noted that the effort hinges on the T901 engine program. The MH-60M already carries additional equipment including terrain-following radar, defensive systems, and communications suites. Some aircraft are configured as Direct Action Penetrators with guns, missiles, and rockets.

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment currently uses YT706 engines on its MH-60Ms. These engines provide higher output than standard T701 engines to handle the added weight of specialized equipment. The T901 engine is designed to deliver 50 percent more shaft power and improved fuel efficiency compared with current engines.

Lockheed Martin stated that the performance gains would allow additional fuel or payloads without reducing aircraft performance.

The Army selected General Electric's T901 engine for the Improved Turbine Engine Program in 2019. Flight testing on a modified Black Hawk began in May 2025. The program has faced delays and funding uncertainty. Congress appropriated $238 million for the engine in the current fiscal cycle after the Army requested no new funding in its fiscal year 2026 budget proposal.