The United States Marine Corps has awarded a $15.5 million contract to Sikorsky for the Medium Aerial Resupply Vehicle – Expeditionary Logistics (MARV-EL) Increment 2 program.
This initiative centers on the R66 TURBINETRUCK, an autonomous cargo helicopter developed through a collaboration between Sikorsky and Robinson Unmanned. The platform integrates Sikorsky’s MATRIX autonomy system with the Robinson Helicopter Company R66 airframe to provide flexible and rapid combat sustainment. The program aims to fill a critical capability gap between small tactical drones and large strategic airlifters, offering a middleweight logistics solution capable of operating from ship decks, unimproved landing zones, or austere forward operating bases.
Under the MARV-EL requirements, the uncrewed aircraft must be capable of transporting payloads between 1,300 and 2,500 lbs to a combat radius of 100 nautical miles. Operators manage mission objectives via a common digital handheld device, entering goals into a tablet to automatically generate flight plans. The system then utilizes sensors and algorithms to guide the aircraft safely to target locations. This technology leverages features similar to Sikorsky’s fully autonomous S-70UAS U-Hawk helicopter, though the R66 TURBINETRUCK features a smaller footprint and lower operating costs.
“Our partnership with Sikorsky brings the trusted performance and reliability of the R66 platform into the unmanned logistics arena,” said David Smith, president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company. “The R66 TURBINETRUCK represents a significant step forward in expanding proven rotorcraft into scalable, autonomous cargo solutions for demanding operational environments. Together, we are delivering a game‑changing capability that will enhance warfighter readiness and open new opportunities for safe, reliable and affordable autonomous transport.”
“As we expand the MATRIX family, we also extend the reach of uncrewed solutions for both civil and military customers,” said Rich Benton, vice president and general manager of Sikorsky. “The commercially developed R66 TURBINETRUCK is simple, economical and re-configurable; ideal for high-risk, hard-to-reach environments where keeping personnel out of harm’s way is essential.”
Robinson Unmanned will deliver the first R66 TURBINETRUCK to Sikorsky for integration, testing, and evaluation. These demonstrations will showcase the platform-agnostic and open architecture design of the MATRIX system.
“Operators need logistics solutions that can keep pace with rapidly changing mission demands without increasing complexity,” said Paul Fermo, president of Robinson Unmanned. “By combining MATRIX’s advanced autonomous capability with the rugged, flight-proven R66 airframe, the R66 TURBINETRUCK delivers that capability whenever and wherever it’s needed—no matter the environment.”
Robinson Unmanned will be at XPONENTIAL USA 2026, May 11-14, Booth 18030.
