Sikorsky Transforms Black Hawk Helicopter into Autonomous U-Hawk UAS

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has developed the S-70UAS U-Hawk, a versatile, autonomous unmanned aircraft system (UAS) by transforming a UH-60L Black Hawk helicopter. This new aircraft has 25% more cargo space than a typical Black Hawk.

The project, which went from concept to a working prototype in ten months, involved removing the cockpit, seats, and crew stations from the Black Hawk. This space was replaced with actuated clamshell doors and a ramp. The conventional flight controls were replaced with a third-generation, low-cost, fly-by-wire system integrated with MATRIX autonomy technology. This makes the U-Hawk the first fully autonomous Black Hawk helicopter.

The S-70UAS U-Hawk aircraft, showcased at the Association of the United States Army exposition, features a larger cabin that can accommodate longer cargo, such as missiles, and allows for uncrewed ground vehicles to be driven on and off. It can also roll on/off supplies, launch swarms of reconnaissance or strike drones, and carry internal fuel tanks for extended range or time on station.

Rich Benton, Sikorsky’s vice president and general manager, stated, “Sikorsky is innovating a 21st century solution by converting UH‑60L Black Hawks into a fully autonomous utility platform.” He added, “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 continues the Black Hawk legacy of being the world’s premier utility aircraft and opens the door to new capabilities as a UAS.”

The redesign and structural modification of the UH-60L is being led by Sikorsky Innovations, the company’s rapid prototyping group. The U-Hawk’s first flight is anticipated for 2026.

Igor Cherepinsky, director of Sikorsky Innovations, commented, “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. We focused on efficiencies in the retrofit by designing and manufacturing vehicle management computers, actuation components and airframe modifications. We will incorporate those efficiencies into future modifications and manufacturing for our family of UAS products.”

The U-Hawk offers several new mission capabilities. By eliminating the cockpit and its components, the aircraft gains a significant increase in cargo space. This allows for forward loading and accommodates oversized loads up to the same maximum gross weight. The aircraft can transport up to four Joint Modular Intermodal Containers, carry a HIMARS pod of six rockets or two Naval Strike Missiles, and deploy launched effects carrying sensors or munitions. It can also self-deploy over 1,600 nautical miles or loiter for up to 14 hours without refueling.

The U-Hawk retains the ability to load cargo from the side door and can externally lift 9,000 pounds (4,080 kg) with its cargo hook, similar to the UH-60L.

Operators control the U-Hawk via a tablet, with the MATRIX autonomy system automatically generating a flight plan based on mission goals. The system uses cameras, sensors, and algorithms to navigate the aircraft to its destination. The aircraft’s clamshell doors open and a ramp lowers at the touch of a button for easy loading.