The Army’s elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), also known as the ‘Night Stalkers,’ is upgrading their MH-60M Black Hawk helicopters with new features. One of these upgraded helicopters was recently spotted at Pryor Field Airport in northern Alabama, sporting an exotic blue camouflage paint scheme.
The MH-60M in the picture stands out due to its unique paint job. While most H-60 variants in the U.S. military are painted in dark olive green, gray, or black, this helicopter features a multi-tone blue camouflage scheme. Some parts even appear purple. However, certain elements of the aircraft, such as the cockpit windscreen framing and antennas, remain black.
The new configuration of the MH-60M includes a re-contoured nose, new particle separators over the engine intakes, and other upgrades. These enhancements are aimed at improving the helicopter’s performance and capabilities during their missions.
The use of blue-based camouflage schemes is not uncommon among helicopter operators, particularly in maritime environments. Countries like Japan, China, and Ukraine also have helicopters with blue-heavy camouflage for their operations. Given that the Night Stalkers are often deployed in response to major crises and contingencies, including operations over water and coastal areas, the blue camouflage might prove beneficial in certain scenarios.
The 160th SOAR is a vital component of American special operations forces and is expected to play a significant role in major operations worldwide. Their updated Black Hawks, with their new noses and blue camouflage, showcase the unit’s commitment to staying at the forefront of technology and innovation in special operations aviation.
