U.S. Army to Test New Autonomous Flight Features on Sikorsky's Upgraded Black Hawk Helicopter

Sikorsky has been awarded a $6 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to install its ALIAS/MATRIX flight autonomy system onto the U.S. Army’s experimental fly-by-wire UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter.

This upgraded model, referred to as MX, will enable the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) to conduct tests on various autonomy capabilities, ranging from single-pilot operation to fully uninhabited flight.

 “Autonomy-enabled aircraft will reduce pilot workload, improve flight safety, and give battle commanders the flexibility to perform complex missions,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky's vice president and general manager. He further noted the long-term relevance of the Black Hawk helicopters, indicating their reliance into the 2070s.

The MATRIX autonomy system is central to DARPA's ALIAS (Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System) program. Sikorsky previously contributed hardware and engineering support for adding fly-by-wire flight controls to the MX aircraft in 2020. The upgraded aircraft is designed to closely resemble Sikorsky’s UH-60A fly-by-wire Optionally Piloted Black Hawk helicopter, which has been tested extensively with MATRIX technology over hundreds of flight hours.

Integration of the MATRIX system into the MX helicopter is scheduled for completion in 2025. The upgraded aircraft will allow DEVCOM to investigate practical applications and concepts for a scalable autonomy system. The evaluation will include assessments of different sensor suites aimed at perceiving and avoiding threats, obstacles, and terrain, alongside developing standards and specifications interfaced with the MATRIX system and a fly-by-wire flight control system.

In July 2024, Sikorsky and DARPA showcased the capabilities of the Optionally Piloted Black Hawk helicopter to U.S. military personnel and Department of Defense officials. Demonstrations highlighted how the helicopter could be operated by personnel in the cabin or remotely via a tablet, entering high-level mission objectives.

These recent demonstrations build upon previous successes, including autonomous flights at Project Convergence 2022, where Sikorsky and DARPA demonstrated the Optionally Piloted Black Hawk's ability to perform internal and external cargo resupply missions without human operators on board.