US CBP Receives Tenth of Fifteen Modified UH-60L Black Hawks

In a recent transfer of ownership ceremony, US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) took delivery of its tenth UH-60L Black Hawk from the US Army. The service modified each helicopter before delivery, swapping the avionics, radios, and fuel tanks to meet CBP’s needs.

The handoff occurred June 5 during a transfer of ownership ceremony in Meridianville, Alabama, hosted by the Army’s Program Executive Office Aviation.

“This delivery represents more than just a milestone,” expressed Brig. Gen. David Phillips, Program Executive Officer for Aviation. “It symbolizes our shared commitment to national security and our unwavering support for the men and women who serve on the front lines safeguarding our borders and protecting the American public.”

The aircraft is part of a 15-helicopter procurement effort dating back to 2014. It undergoes extensive Army-led modifications before delivery, including upgraded avionics, fuel systems, and mission-specific sensors to suit CBP’s border enforcement needs. The aircraft are used by CBP’s Air and Marine Operations (AMO), which operates across the southern U.S. border and other areas.

The collaboration between CBP and the Army dates back nearly four decades. In 1988, the Army helped CBP replace its aging UH-1 Huey helicopters with 16 surplus UH-60A Black Hawks. Later, in 2007, four UH-60M models were added to the CBP fleet, each heavily customized for surveillance and multi-environment operations.

The Black Hawk is well-loved in CBP, with the service logging over 55,000 flight hours across more than 21,000 missions using the fleet. The helicopters have proven crucial in rapid deployment, aerial surveillance, and supporting ground teams in difficult terrain and weather conditions.

Five more aircraft are expected to be delivered under the current agreement. Discussions are underway for further acquisitions as CBP adapts to emerging border threats.

FMI: www.army.mil