The U.S. Army is set to enhance its capabilities with the introduction of a “robotic brain” to the experimental UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter, allowing it to operate autonomously regardless of human presence on board. This is spearheaded by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, which has secured a $6 million grant from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to implement the ALIAS/MATRIX flight autonomy system into the helicopter.
The upgraded helicopter, designated as MX, will serve as a testing platform for the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM). It aims to explore various levels of autonomy, from operations led by a single pilot to completely uninhabited flights.
“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’s vice president and general manager.
Benton further noted the long-term value of modernizing the Black Hawk, asserting, “Soldiers will rely on Black Hawk helicopters into the 2070s, and modernizing the aircraft today will pay dividends for decades across Army Aviation’s current and future aircraft.”
Central to this initiative is the MATRIX autonomy system, which underpins DARPA’s ALIAS program. In 2020, Sikorsky contributed hardware and engineering support to equip the MX aircraft with fly-by-wire flight controls, making it closely resemble Sikorsky’s existing Optionally Piloted Black Hawk helicopter. The integration of the MATRIX system into the MX helicopter is anticipated for 2025, at which point DEVCOM will evaluate the system’s practical applications and operational concepts.
This evaluation will include testing various sensor suites designed to detect and evade threats, obstacles, and challenging terrain, alongside establishing standards and specifications for interfacing with the MATRIX system and the fly-by-wire controls. A demonstration in July 2024 showcased the helicopter’s capabilities, where U.S. military personnel observed how the Optionally Piloted Black Hawk could be controlled via a tablet, allowing operators to set high-level mission objectives from either inside the aircraft or remotely.
These developments build on previous autonomous flights conducted at Project Convergence 2022, where Sikorsky and DARPA successfully demonstrated the Black Hawk’s ability to perform cargo resupply missions without onboard personnel. The integration of MATRIX technology is also a vital aspect of Lockheed Martin’s vision for 21st Century Security, which focuses on modernizing the Black Hawk to counter emerging threats effectively.
Looking ahead, the Black Hawk helicopters may also be equipped with next-generation engines, potentially starting in 2025, following tests of the new GE Aerospace T901 engines.
