Special Forces Testing Black Hawk Helicopter with Side-Mounted Electric Motorcycles
Image credit: Andrew White/Janes
Electric two-wheelers have become an area of intense research and testing for special operations forces around the world. The latest example we’re seeing is a novel application of a helicopter outfitted with a pair of electric motorcycles for stealthy insertion.
The first-of-its-kind application comes to us from the Dubai Airshow 2021, where the UAE Special Operations Command showed off the combo, first photographed by Andrew White of Janes.
Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks are utility helicopters commonly used for troop transport.
The helicopters include an External Stores Support System (ESSS) commonly used for mounting equipment on the stub wing’s hard points. In this case, carriers for electric motorcycles have been mounted instead.
The electric motorcycles in question appear to be Zero FX models, specifically designed for off-road riding in rugged conditions.
The bikes feature 34 kW (45 hp) peak-rated electric motors and top speeds of around 80 mph (130 km/h).
Continue reading here on the electrek website