It was developed for the United States Army in the 1970s, winning a competition to be designated the UH-60 Black Hawk and spawning a large family in U.S. military service.

[citation needed] The S-70 can perform a variety of missions, including air cavalry, electronic warfare, and aeromedical evacuation.

In air assault operations it can move a squad of 11 combat troops and equipment or carry the 105 mm M102 howitzer, thirty rounds of ammunition, and a six-man crew.

The HH-60G Pave Hawk is a highly modified version of the S-70 primarily designed to recover downed aircrew or other isolated personnel during war and equipped with a rescue hoist with a 250 ft (76 m) cable that has a 600 lb (270 kg) lift capability, and a retractable in-flight refueling probe.

[3] The S-70A Firehawk is a version of the S-70 designed for firefighting, rescue, medical evacuation, and external lift of bulky cargo and equipment.

[citation needed] The Maple Hawk was a variant offered by Sikorsky to the Canadian Forces during a 1996 tender to replace the military's search and rescue helicopters.

[7] In 2018, Poland sign agreement to buy S-70i for Police aviation, to replace Mi-2 reaching the end of their safe flying life.

[12][13] As part of the Armed Forces of the Philippines modernization efforts, the Department of National Defense signed a contract with PZL-Mielec for 16 S-70i variant of Black Hawk helicopters worth US$241.4 million in March 2019.

"[18] On 22 February 2022, the Department of National Defense signed another contract with PZL-Mielec for an additional 32 S-70i Black Hawks worth US$624 million which included an integrated logistics support and training package for pilots and maintenance crew.

[19][20][21] With the latest contract with PZL-Mielec, the Philippines is set to become the largest operator of the S-70i variant of the Black Hawk once full delivery of the ordered units are completed.