On Tuesday, October 7, 2025, Polish Aviation Works (PZL) Mielec, a subsidiary of the American company Lockheed Martin, announced the completion of the 700th cabin for the S-70/H-60 Black Hawk multirole helicopter. This marks another milestone in the production history of one of the world’s most recognizable military helicopters.
Cabins produced at PZL Mielec are used for both the S-70i Black Hawk International built on the Polish production line and the H-60 Black Hawk assembled in the United States / Photos: PZL Mielec
Production of helicopter cabins in Mielec began in 2008, when the first components were manufactured, and the first completed cabin was finished the following year. Since then, PZL Mielec has been continuously supporting the global Black Hawk supply chain, delivering high-quality components for final helicopter assembly in both the United States and Poland. Each cabin represents the combined effort of multiple teams—engineering, production, quality assurance, logistics, and support—ensuring precision, safety, and structural reliability.
“The completion of the 700th cabin is the result of a proven process, high quality standards, and our team’s experience,” said Janusz Zakręcki, President and General Director of PZL Mielec. “It’s a great achievement and a testament to the trust our partners place in the quality and reliability of PZL Mielec products such as the Black Hawk helicopter and F-16 fighter fuselage structures.” (The company produces the rear fuselage sections of the F-16, with plans to expand production to over 80% of the aircraft’s structure; read more: The first F-16 Block 70/72 with a aft fuselage manufactured by PZL Mielec)
The Black Hawk helicopter cabin is the largest and most complex structural component of the aircraft. It also serves as the mounting point for key systems, including fuel tanks, engines, and the main rotor gearbox.
The cabins are manufactured on a state-of-the-art production line at PZL Mielec, equipped with specialized tools and organized to ensure maximum precision at every stage. Nearly 90% of all cabin elements are produced in-house—from machined and formed metal parts to composite components and electrical harnesses. The manufacturing process combines advanced technology with the expertise of skilled technicians—from welding and machining large structural elements to meticulous quality inspections—ensuring every cabin meets the strict safety and reliability standards required of military aircraft.
The milestone 700th Black Hawk helicopter cabin
After production is completed, some of the finished cabins from Mielec are used in the assembly of Black Hawk helicopters built in Poland, while the remainder are shipped to Sikorsky’s facilities in the United States, where they are used in the production of UH-60M Black Hawks for the U.S. Army.
PZL Mielec is one of Poland’s largest defense exporters and a cornerstone of the European defense supply chain, employing 1,700 people directly and supporting approximately 5,000 jobs across the European Union through a network of 1,200 suppliers throughout the region.
The legendary Black Hawk helicopter is the world’s leading multi-mission helicopter, trusted by more than 36 nations. It has proven its capabilities in the toughest conditions, achieving over 92% operational readiness in combat environments. Built to military safety and survivability standards, the Black Hawk is the most rugged and durable helicopter in the world, capable of taking off and flying in high winds, operating at high altitudes, landing on steep slopes, and withstanding battle damage and hard landings.
It’s worth recalling that on November 23, 2023, PZL Mielec delivered the 100th S-70i Black Hawk International helicopter, which was handed over to the Polish Special Forces. Earlier, on January 20, 2023, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a Lockheed Martin company, announced the delivery of the 5,000th production helicopter in the H-60/S-70 family.
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Kolejny kamień milowy: w naszym zakładzie w Mielcu wyprodukowaliśmy 700. kabinę do śmigłowca Black Hawk!🚁🇵🇱
Liczba 700 to nie tylko liczba – odzwierciedla ona ciężką pracę, ciągłe doskonalenie procesów, inwestycje technologiczne, rozwój kompetencji i zaufanie partnerów. pic.twitter.com/NJrjXM740B
— Lockheed Martin Europe (@LMEuropeNews) October 7, 2025
