U.S. Army Receives First Autonomous Black Hawk

A Sikorsky operator flies an experimental H‑60Mx Black Hawk helicopter using technologies developed under the DARPA ALIAS program | Photo: Sikorsky

The U.S. Army has received an H-60Mx Black Hawk helicopter equipped with autonomous flight technology, marking the transition of a long-running research effort into operational testing. The aircraft, configured for both crewed and uncrewed operations, will now be evaluated in a series of test scenarios.

The helicopter incorporates autonomy systems developed under the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) programme. The system includes the Sikorsky MATRIX autonomy suite and a fly-by-wire control architecture, replacing traditional mechanical flight controls.

DARPA confirmed that the aircraft has been delivered to the Army under a technology transition agreement with the Project Manager for Utility Helicopters. The ALIAS programme was designed to create automation that could be integrated into existing aircraft, allowing them to operate with reduced crew or autonomously.

“The ALIAS program has successfully developed and demonstrated a powerful, flexible automation architecture that is now poised to provide the U.S. Army with a significant operational edge,” said Stuart Young, the ALIAS program manager in DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office. “This transition is a testament to the power of government and industry partnership to advance technology. It will allow the Army to build on a solid foundation of technical-risk reduction, enabling them to explore new warfighting concepts and push the boundaries of what’s possible in aviation.”

The U.S. Army officially received the H-60Mx Black Hawk helicopter upgraded for autonomous or piloted flight | Photo: U.S. Army

The technology has been tested over more than a decade, including a fully uncrewed Black Hawk flight in 2022, where the helicopter completed a mission from pre-flight to landing.

The U.S. Army will now use the H-60Mx as a test platform under its Strategic Autonomy Flight Enabler (SAFE) programme. Testing will assess remote control operations, autonomous mission execution and integration with mission systems.

The Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) will lead further work, focusing on integrating sensors and evaluating operational use cases. Additional testing is also being conducted in collaboration with Texas A&M University using modified UH-60L helicopters.

The programme aims to develop a scalable autonomy kit that can be applied across the Army’s helicopter fleet.