Sikorsky and the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have transferred an experimental UH-60Mx optionally piloted Black Hawk to the US Army for advanced operational testing, marking a key step toward mission-capable autonomy and reduced-crew operations.
Developed under DARPA’s decade-long Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program, the handover underscores the maturity of Sikorsky’s Matrix autonomy suite.
The program aimed to develop a highly automated system that can be integrated into existing aircraft, enhancing mission flexibility and safety in complex, contested environments.
“The army now has a new tool that furthers its vision laid out in the Army Transformation Initiative to mature and qualify pilot‑supported autonomy,” Sikorsky Vice President and General Manager Rich Benton said.
“This capability will enhance mission effectiveness and survivability for warfighters today and lay the groundwork for tomorrow’s networked systems.”
Matrix Autonomy Suite
Matrix serves as the core flight control and autonomy system, capable of managing complex tasks from takeoff to landing.
It enables the helicopter to conduct missions autonomously or under remote supervision from a secure ground station, significantly enhancing operational flexibility.
The system enables automated landing-zone detection and obstacle avoidance in degraded environments, while real-time terrain awareness reduces exposure to threats.
Its open architecture cuts maintenance and lifecycle costs, and automation of routine tasks lets pilots focus on mission-critical decisions, boosting effectiveness.
Beyond the UH-60Mx, Matrix has been integrated on Sikorsky’s S-70 UAS U-Hawk — an unmanned Black Hawk variant — as well as the UH-60A fly-by-wire Optionally Piloted Black Hawk, which has logged hundreds of flight hours in testing with Sikorsky and US Army aviators.
The UH-60Mx is the first Black Hawk in the US Army’s inventory to feature full-authority fly-by-wire controls combined with an optionally piloted capability.
Road Ahead
In the coming months, army pilots and engineers will test the UH-60Mx to validate ground control, autonomous performance in complex missions, and its potential to enhance safety and effectiveness.
The aircraft also serves as the primary testbed for the Army’s Strategic Autonomy Flight Enabler program, which aims to develop a scalable autonomy kit for the broader Black Hawk fleet and future aircraft.
“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,” ALIAS program manager in DARPA’s Tactical Technology Office, Stuart Young, explained.
“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 it to explore new warfighting concepts and push the boundaries of what’s possible in aviation.”
