Sikorsky VH-60N White Hawk Facts for Kids

The Sikorsky VH-60N White Hawk is a special helicopter. It's a version of the famous UH-60 Black Hawk. This helicopter is used to fly the President of the United States. When the President is on board, it's called Marine One.

Meet the Black Hawk Helicopter
- What the Black Hawk Can Do
  - How it Flies
  - Different Versions of the Black Hawk
The VH-60N White Hawk: Marine One
- Why is it Called Marine One?
- Special Features for the President
  - How it Protects the President
  - Flying the President
Images for kids
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Meet the Black Hawk Helicopter

The Black Hawk is a very well-known helicopter. It was first built by the company Sikorsky. This helicopter is used by many countries around the world. It can do many different jobs.

What the Black Hawk Can Do

Black Hawk helicopters are very strong and reliable. They can carry soldiers and equipment. They are also used for rescue missions. Sometimes, they help with medical emergencies. They can even fight in battles.

How it Flies

The Black Hawk has two powerful engines. These engines help it fly fast and high. It has a large main rotor on top. This rotor creates the lift needed to get off the ground. A smaller rotor on the tail helps it steer.

Different Versions of the Black Hawk

There are many types of Black Hawk helicopters. Each type is made for a specific job. For example, some are for combat. Others are for carrying people or supplies. The VH-60N White Hawk is a very special version.

The VH-60N White Hawk: Marine One

The VH-60N White Hawk is not just any Black Hawk. It is specially designed to fly the President of the United States. When the President is flying in this helicopter, it gets a special call sign: Marine One.

Why is it Called Marine One?

The helicopters that fly the President are operated by the United States Marine Corps. That's why the call sign is "Marine One." It's a very important job. The helicopter needs to be extremely safe and secure.

Special Features for the President

The VH-60N White Hawk has many special features. These are added for the President's safety and comfort. It has advanced communication systems. It also has special defenses. These helicopters are always kept in top condition.

How it Protects the President

The VH-60N is built to be very secure. It has armor to protect against attacks. It also has systems to avoid missiles. The crew is highly trained. They make sure the President is always safe during flights.

Flying the President

When the President travels, several VH-60N helicopters often fly together. One is the actual "Marine One" with the President. The others are decoys. This makes it harder for anyone to know which helicopter the President is in. This is part of the strict security plan.

Images for kids

UH-60A Black Hawks over Port Salinas during the invasion of Grenada, 1983. The conflict saw the first use of the UH-60 in combat.
UH-60s equipped with machine guns near An Najaf, Iraq in May 2005.
A view of a UH-60L cockpit
View of cockpit area of a UH-60
Australian Army S-70A-9
A Philippine Air Force S-70i Black Hawk landing at Mactan-Benito Ebuen Air Base on Mactan Island, Cebu
A Swedish UH-60 landing during a demonstration
A Republic of China Army UH-60M Black Hawk
U.S. Army MH-60L during the Battle of Mogadishu in 1993
160th SOAR(A)'s MH-60 DAP fires its 2.75 in (7.0 cm) rockets on a U.S. Army test range
MH-60M from the 160th SOAR(A) lands aboard the USS Bataan (LHD-5).
VH-60Ns used to transport the President of the United States
An Austrian Air Force S-70A42 lands in Paznaun valley
A UH-60 of the Brazilian Air Force
An Israeli Air Force UH-60 Yanshuf
A Japan Air Self-Defence Force UH-60J in flight
A Royal Jordanian Air Force UH-60L on lift off
A ROCAF S-70C flying above Songshan Air Force Base
Royal Thai Army UH-60L from the 9th flying unit in Lopburi province
A US Army UH-60M from the 4th Assault Helicopter Battalion