Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has converted a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter into a fully autonomous unmanned system known as the S-70UAS U-Hawk. The project, completed within 10 months, introduces a new configuration that removes the cockpit to provide 25% more cargo capacity and integrates Sikorsky’s MATRIX autonomy technology for operator-controlled flight.
The aircraft, showcased at the Association of the United States Army exposition, features an enlarged cabin designed to carry longer cargo such as missiles, deploy smaller drones, or transport uncrewed ground vehicles. It can also be equipped with internal fuel tanks for extended range and endurance.
“Sikorsky is innovating a 21st century solution by converting UH-60L Black Hawks into a fully autonomous utility platform,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky’s vice president and general manager. “We developed this prototype from concept to reality in under a year, and the modifications made to transform this crewed Black Hawk into a multi-mission payload UAS can be replicated at scale quickly and affordably.”
The U-Hawk’s redesign, led by the company’s rapid prototyping arm Sikorsky Innovations, replaces the crew compartment with actuated clamshell doors and a loading ramp. The company plans to conduct the aircraft’s first flight in 2026.
Expanded mission capabilities
By eliminating the cockpit and crew systems, the U-Hawk can carry larger and heavier payloads. Its cargo bay allows roll-on and roll-off loading, supporting various missions including logistics, drone deployment, and missile transport. The U-Hawk can:
Transport up to four Joint Modular Intermodal Containers
Carry a HIMARS rocket pod or two Naval Strike Missiles
Deploy reconnaissance or strike drones
Self-deploy over 1,600 nautical miles or loiter for up to 14 hours
It can also externally lift up to 9,000 pounds (4,080 kg), maintaining the same hook capability as the crewed Black Hawk.
Instead of a pilot, an operator uses a tablet to command the U-Hawk from start-up to shutdown. At the press of a button, the aircraft’s doors open and ramp lowers for loading, while MATRIX software automatically generates flight plans using onboard cameras, sensors, and navigation algorithms.
“The U-Hawk offers a cost-effective utility UAS by leveraging commonality with the existing UH-60 fleet, and its uncrewed nature reduces both operating and maintenance costs,” said Igor Cherepinsky, director of Sikorsky Innovations.
The company noted that the retrofit incorporates newly designed vehicle management computers and actuation components that could streamline production of future UAS platforms.