HAIFA, Israel, June 15 (UPI) -- Israel-based Elbit Systems and Sikorsky Aircraft announced an armed configuration of the Black Hawk helicopter has successfully completed a test phase.
U.S. company Sikorsky says its partnership with Elbit, established to develop a new armed configuration of the Black Hawk helicopter known as the Battlehawk, has successfully completed a test phase of a demonstrator aircraft.
According to a news release, the Battlehawk demonstration aircraft successfully fired an "optical missile, a laser-guided rocket, and a 20mm turreted gun" at Elbit's testing facility in Israel.
Officials say the successful test paves the way for Sikorsky to begin offering production proposals for the new Battlehawk armed configuration.
"The results of the live fire testing demonstrate that the utility Black Hawk aircraft platform also can serve as an attack helicopter, providing additional firepower and mission flexibility," Jeffrey Pino, Sikorsky president, said in a statement.
"The Black Hawk helicopter has proven its value for the last three decades in military service all over the world, and continues to evolve as a modern multipurpose platform for all branches of the armed forces."
