![]() This replacement better matches the capability of the UH-60 Mike-model, the latest variant of the helicopter. The Victor model converts a Lima-model Black Hawk from an analogue cockpit to a digital one. ![]() The converted version is called the Victor-model. In 2017, Northrop Grumman won a US Army contract to upgrade Black Hawk L-model helicopter cockpits from analogue to integrated, open-architecture digital ones. That event was pushed back by a year due to the coronavirus pandemic and delays in the Instrument Flight Rules certification process (IFR) that would allow the aircraft to fly in national airspace. Army decided to hold a second test for the third quarter of fiscal year 2020. The first initial operational test and evaluation was conducted at Joint Base Lewis McChord in Washington State, in September 2019, but due to numerous software reliability issues, the U.S. Army has delayed a second attempt at an initial operational test for the UH-60 Victor-model Black Hawk until software and reliability fixes are made and the aircraft receives certification to fly in national airspace. If convicted, they could receive sentences of up to 10 years in prison and fines of up to $250,000.The U.S. The two are expected to go on trial in federal court in Corpus Christi on Jan. Both allegedly did so in order for nonconforming rotor blades would appear to meet specifications when they actually did not. Meanwhile, two Corpus Christi Army Depot employees are facing similar charges.Īlbert Flores, of Corpus Christi, and Samuel Escareno, of Robstown, are charged with one count each of conspiracy and falsifying records related to aircraft parts.Īccording to a federal indictment, the two former supervisors ordered other workers to falsify inspection records for Blackhawk helicopter blades. Blankenbeker remains on bond pending sentencing, facing up to 15 years in federal prison. On July 19, 2019, Blankenbeker pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge. Balbin faces up to 30 years in federal prison and restitution to the government. The jury also found that Balbin conspired with Robert Edgard Blankenbeker, a mechanic and his co-defendant, to conceal his crime.īalbin remains on bond pending sentencing. In truth, he signed the form before the repair work was completed and before inspections had taken place. It proved that while Balbin was assigned to conduct maintenance inspections on an Army Blackhawk helicopter, he signed off an official Army maintenance form verifying that all inspections had taken place and work was completed. 28, 2019.ĭuring the trial, federal prosecutors presented evidence from November and December of 2017. Bash said Balbin was a former civilian employee at Fort Bliss who was involved in a scheme to defraud the government with respect to military aircraft maintenance and parts.īalbin was employed at the Corpus Christi Army Depot when he was arrested on Jan. On Tuesday afternoon, a federal jury in El Paso found James Hilario Balbin, of Corpus Christi, guilty on one count of conspiracy to commit fraud involving aircraft parts and one substantive count of fraud involving aircraft parts.Īccording to a press release issued by the United States Attorney's Office- West District of Texas, U.S. EL PASO, Texas - A former worker at Corpus Christi Army Depot is facing up to 30 years in federal prison for signing off on military aircraft maintenance inspections before the inspections had been made.
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