Original Message

The UH-60M and S-70i are basically the same helicopter ..... basically.  They have the same fuselage, drive system, and engines.  From there the US Army gets some things that aren't shall we say available on the "open market."  The UH-60M is built in the US and the S-70i in Poland.  The other major difference is that the aircraft built in Poland are not built under a FAA Production Certificate and as such are not eligible for registration on the "civil" register in the US.  Now LA County, Cal-Fire, Colorado, San Diego Fire, etc. are flying them yes but they are under "Public Use" rules.