Sikorsky to convert Black Hawk helicopter into drone
By
Colton Jones
Oct 14, 2024
Modified date: Oct 14, 2024
Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has been awarded $6 million by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to install its advanced ALIAS/MATRIX flight autonomy system onto the U.S. Army’s experimental UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter.
The upgraded aircraft, designated as MX, will allow the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) to test and evaluate autonomy capabilities ranging from single-pilot operations to fully uninhabited flight.
“Autonomy-enabled aircraft will reduce pilot workload, dramatically improve flight safety, and give battle commanders the flexibility to perform complex missions in contested and congested battlespace, day or night in all weather conditions,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. Benton emphasized that this upgrade will help ensure Black Hawk helicopters remain viable into the 2070s, providing long-term benefits for U.S. Army Aviation.
https://defence-blog.com/sikorsky-to-convert-black-hawk-helicopter-into-drone/
