Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, unveiled a new version of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter, the S-70UAS U-Hawk, at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exhibition. This fully autonomous, unmanned version is designed primarily for logistics operations.

As Erskine "Ramsey" Bentley, director of strategy and business development for Sikorsky Advanced Programs, explained, the new version replaces the cockpit with a cargo ramp with folding doors, which increases the cargo compartment volume by 25 percent compared to the standard Black Hawk.

"We've completely removed the cockpit, seats, and crew stations," Bentley noted. "Any soldier can pick up a tablet, launch the helicopter, program a mission, and the vehicle becomes completely autonomous."

The U-Hawk is equipped with the MATRIX autonomous flight system, which manages takeoff, flight, and landing without human intervention. Control is via a tablet, where the operator sets the route, while onboard sensors and algorithms provide navigation and obstacle avoidance. The vehicle has a payload capacity of up to 3175 kg internally and 4080 kg externally.

The prototype, based on a retired UH-60L helicopter from the US Army, took just 10 months to develop. Its first flight is scheduled for 2026. According to Sikorsky Vice President Rich Benton, this platform will enable the transport of large cargo, including containers or ammunition, without risk to the crew, reducing operating costs.