Colton Jones of the Defence Blog reports that Sikorsky has been awarded $6 million by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to install its advanced ALIAS/MATRIX flight autonomy system onto the U.S. Army’s experimental UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter. Jones writes:
The upgraded aircraft, designated as MX, will allow the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) to test and evaluate autonomy capabilities ranging from single-pilot operations to fully uninhabited flight.
“Autonomy-enabled aircraft will reduce pilot workload, dramatically improve flight safety, and give battle commanders the flexibility to perform complex missions in contested and congested battlespace, day or night in all weather conditions,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. Benton emphasized that this upgrade will help ensure Black Hawk helicopters remain viable into the 2070s, providing long-term benefits for U.S. Army Aviation. […]
In a demonstration in July 2024, Sikorsky and DARPA showcased the Optionally Piloted Black Hawk to U.S. military and Department of Defense officials. The autonomous capabilities of the helicopter were displayed through simple, high-level mission commands issued from a tablet, whether the operator was on the ground or in the cabin. These demonstrations followed successful tests at Project Convergence 2022, where the helicopter performed cargo resupply missions autonomously.
Read more here.
Also read, First Unmanned Blackhawk Flies Logistics and Rescue Missions
