Sikorsky turns Black Hawk into autonomous U-Hawk utility drone
Sikorsky has unveiled an autonomous Black Hawk variant designed for logistics, drone launch, and long-endurance missions.
The aircraft, called the S-70UAS U-Hawk, is based on the UH-60L Black Hawk and was developed in 10 months. The redesign removes the cockpit and replaces it with actuated clamshell doors and a ramp. That change increases internal volume by 25% over a standard Black Hawk and allows faster loading of larger payloads.
The platform combines Sikorsky’s third-generation fly-by-wire flight controls with its MATRIX autonomy system. The result is an uncrewed aircraft intended to carry out autonomous resupply work, deploy drones, and operate on missions that demand greater endurance. By reworking a proven helicopter rather than building a new airframe from scratch, Sikorsky is also positioning the U-Hawk as a faster path to fielding autonomous utility aircraft.
The program highlights how established military rotorcraft can be adapted for uncrewed roles as armed forces seek to move cargo and equipment with less risk to crews. If adopted, the U-Hawk could broaden the Black Hawk family’s mission set and give operators a new option for contested-zone logistics and unmanned support operations.