Sikorsky Unveils U-Hawk™: Autonomous Black Hawk Transformed into Multi-Mission UAS

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has transformed a UH-60L Black Hawk® into the S-70UAS™ U-Hawk™, a fully autonomous unmanned aircraft system (UAS) designed to lead and resupply air assault missions. Developed in just ten months, the U-Hawk offers twenty-five percent more cargo space than a conventional Black Hawk by replacing the cockpit with actuated clamshell doors and a ramp, and swapping conventional flight controls for a third-generation, low-cost fly-by-wire system integrated with MATRIX™ autonomy technology.

The U-Hawk’s larger cabin allows it to transport oversized cargo such as missiles or Joint Modular Intermodal Containers. It can drive on and off uncrewed ground vehicles, including the HDT Hunter Wolf 6×6 UGV, deploy reconnaissance or strike drones, and carry internal fuel tanks for extended range or loiter times up to fourteen hours. Despite these modifications, it retains the ability to lift up to 9,000 pounds externally via its cargo hook and can self-deploy over 1,600 nautical miles, offering operators flexibility for long-range missions.

Unlike crewed Black Hawks, the U-Hawk is flown by an operator using a tablet, which manages startup, mission planning, and shutdown. The MATRIX autonomy system generates optimal flight paths using onboard sensors and cameras to safely navigate the aircraft. Cargo loading is simplified through automated clamshell doors and a ramp, enabling rapid mission preparation and execution.

By removing the cockpit and crew stations, the U-Hawk reduces operating and maintenance costs while leveraging commonality with existing UH-60 fleets. Igor Cherepinsky, director of Sikorsky Innovations, noted that efficiencies in vehicle management, actuation, and airframe modifications will be incorporated into future UAS programs, making the U-Hawk a cost-effective and scalable solution for military operators.

The U-Hawk prototype is on display at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exposition, with first flight expected in 2026. Sikorsky anticipates the platform will open new operational possibilities for air assault, logistics, and autonomous mission support, continuing the Black Hawk legacy in the era of unmanned aviation.