Sikorsky has introduced its newest helicopter, the U-HAWK, which is an unmanned variant of the UH-60L Black Hawk. This new model has been stripped of its cockpit to allow for greater cargo capacity and to keep aircrew members out of harm’s way. Company officials are optimistic that the U-HAWK, equipped with remote piloting capabilities, will be seen as a valuable addition by the U.S. military and other armed forces.
The U-HAWK replaces the traditional cockpit with clamshell doors and a ramp. Instead of human pilots, it utilizes Sikorsky’s MATRIX autonomous technology, allowing a ground operator to control the helicopter using a tablet. Erskine “Ramsey” Bentley, director of strategy and business development for Sikorsky Advanced Programs, emphasized the importance of maximizing the potential of highly trained crews, allowing them to focus on critical military missions while delegating mundane or dangerous tasks to the autonomous systems.
The introduction of the U-HAWK took place at the Association of the U.S. Army’s conference in Washington, D.C., where it was officially unveiled on Monday. This announcement follows remarks by Army Chief of Staff Randy George regarding the potential retirement of the aging UH-60L, which has been in service since its introduction in 1989. Notably, the Army selected Textron’s Bell V-280 in 2022 as a possible replacement for thousands of these helicopters.
Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, has been testing its MATRIX technology on unmanned Black Hawk helicopters for over a decade. Representatives stated that they aimed to quickly develop the U-HAWK for its debut at the conference, achieving the project in just 10 months. Flight testing is anticipated to begin within the first half of 2026. Bentley mentioned that the company has efficiently transitioned from concept to design and implementation, planning to begin rotor operations in the spring and achieve its first flight in the second quarter of the year.
By basing the U-HAWK on the existing UH-60L platform, Sikorsky aims to reduce costs and maintenance for the Army. Bentley pointed out that many components, such as transmissions and rotor blades, remain unchanged, simplifying the integration of the new aircraft into the Army’s inventory.
The U-HAWK can accommodate various cargo configurations, such as four Joint Modular Intermodal Containers or a HIMARS pod containing six rockets. Additionally, unmanned ground vehicles like the robotic HDT Hunter Wolf can be loaded onto the aircraft. Company officials also noted that a munitions quiver could be installed, allowing the helicopter to deploy armed missiles or sensors.
While Sikorsky has unveiled the U-HAWK, company representatives have stated there is no specific customer or contract in place for the aircraft at this time. The announcement comes a year after Sikorsky was awarded a $6 million contract by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to install its MATRIX autonomy system on the Army’s UH-60M Black Hawk. This same technology has also been utilized across five drone designs for DARPA’s shipboard unmanned aerial systems demonstrations.
Moreover, Sikorsky is not alone in its pursuit of autonomous flight technology for Black Hawk helicopters. In April, the Army selected Near Earth Autonomy and Honeywell for a $15 million program aimed at equipping UH-60Ls for unmanned logistics missions.
