I am American, and the pickup truck I imagine is the eqivalent to the British Ford Transit Van, a light general utility vehicle that can be used for any work, as long as it fits in the truck.
Now there have been many Aircraft that fall into this catagory: BE-2, FE-2b, Vimy Commercial/vernon/Victoria, Ford Trimotor, Ju-52, DC-3, Lancaster, Ju88, Mil-8/17/171, Sikorsky Seaking, C-130, all these (and more) had one thing in common - designed for one task, they became the masters of many.
After the Vietnam War the US Army wanted a new utility helicopter to replace the Bell UH-1 Huey helicopter. the Utility Tactical Transport Aircraft System (UTTAS) program called for a helicopter that was easy to maintain; could lift 6000 pounds external lift at 4000 feet on a 35 deg C day hovering out of ground effect. (havor above 50 feet altitude without a cushion of air under the aircraft).
The UTTAS requirement was accompished by the Sikorsky Black Hawk, and the US Army bought them as the UH-60 Black Hawk. 33years later there are several thousand inservice around the world.
Now Why a pickup truck? The US Army operates the UH-60 helicopter in Its main capacity as a troop transport/cargo aircraft, casualty evacuation (dustoff) aircraft, armed special operations aircraft, electronic warfare aircraft, command and control aircraft and VIP transport. The US Navy SH-60 Seahawk varients fly antisub, antiship, radar recon, suppy and seach and rescue (SAR) missions. Same basic airframe multiple missions, a pickup truck.
Now one example: In the 1980's the US Army Special Operations Force (SOF) required an aircraft to use as an attack transport. The Apache had the firepower but no transport capability, so they desided to see how they could arm their Black Hawks. they mounted the Apache's Chain gun on the UH-60's External Stores Support System (ESSS) which were removeable stub wings, with a ammo magazine inside the cabin on the other side of the aicraft the SOF mounted a Hellfire launcher. these were used successfully in the 1988 Tanker war against Iranian Gunboats.
So now one of the Greatest Military Aircraft? Yes, An Aircraft that can do any job put to it within its flight envolope, (Including being Stealth) a pickup truck. Not flashy ... but what would you do without it.
There are several good books on the Black Hawk: one under the Osprey "New Vanguard Series" another source of information is the I.I.Sikorsky Historical Archives www.Sikorksyarchives.com
Captn Tommy:Now one example: In the 1980's the US Army Special Operations Force (SOF) required an aircraft to use as an attack transport. The Apache had the firepower but no transport capability, so they desided to see how they could arm their Black Hawks. they mounted the Apache's Chain gun on the UH-60's External Stores Support System (ESSS) which were removeable stub wings, with a ammo magazine inside the cabin on the other side of the aicraft the SOF mounted a Hellfire launcher. these were used successfully in the 1988 Tanker war against Iranian Gunboats.
It's been a while since I read it but I believe Mike Durant (The former 160th SOAR pilot who was unfortunately shot down over Mogadishu) goes into detail about the development of the DAP variant in his book "In the Company of Heroes". Will have to try and dig out my copy, it's about time for a re-read.
My wings are like a shield of steel.