Sikorsky to demonstrate autonomous flight of Black Hawk helicopter to US Marine Corps in 2025
Sikorsky, a division of Lockheed Martin, is planning to demonstrate an autonomous helicopter flight for the US Marine Corps. The aim is to demonstrate the capabilities of autonomous aviation in real-world conditions.
Here's What We Know
Sikorsky is integrating its MATRIX autonomous control system on the UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter. This technology allows the helicopter to fly without a pilot, reducing the workload on the crew and improving safety.
A Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk unmanned helicopter during the Convergence 2022 exercise. Illustration: Lockheed Martin
The demonstration is scheduled for 2025 and will include autonomous cargo and casualty evacuation missions. This will allow us to evaluate the effectiveness of autonomous helicopters in combat conditions.
MATRIX system
MATRIX technology is a key part of Lockheed's security concept to modernise the Black Hawk helicopter to stay ahead of emerging threats. MATRIX enables helicopters to perform complex missions with minimal human intervention, increasing safety and efficiency. The system can be integrated on both helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft, providing flexibility in use.
Context.
In July 2024 at Stafford Air Force Base in Virginia and in October 2024 at AUSA in Washington, D.C., Sikorsky and DARPA demonstrated (in the video below) Black Hawk autonomous flights with optional autonomy for representatives of the U.S. Department of Defence. During the October demonstration, DoD leaders on the Washington show floor sent general mission tasks to the helicopter. At the same time, 300 miles away, at Sikorsky's headquarters in Connecticut, the helicopter autonomously took off, hovered, flew a short flight over a training area, and landed successfully.
These demonstrations complemented previous experience gained during the Convergence 2022 project, when Sikorsky and DARPA showed the US Army how the unmanned Black Hawk can safely and reliably perform cargo delivery missions.
A Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk unmanned helicopter carries a payload during the Convergence 2022 exercise. Illustration: Lockheed Martin
Source: Lockheed Martin
