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Unmanned Black Hawk Highlights Flexibility and Agility

Combined Cargo/Resupply/Casevac Mission Demonstrations

Sikorsky and the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have successfully demonstrated that an unmanned, autonomous Black Hawk helicopter can safely and reliably conduct internal and external cargo resupply missions, and a rescue operation.

Conducted in mid-October as part of the US Army’s Project Convergence 2022 (PC22) experiment, the flights show how existing and future piloted utility helicopters could one day fly complex missions in either reduced-crew or autonomous mode. This would give commanders and aviators greater flexibility in how and when aircraft and pilots are used, especially in limited visibility or contested environments.

Sikorsky is partnered with DARPA to develop autonomy technology that will exponentially improve the flight safety and efficiency of both rotary- and fixed-wing aircraft. Sikorsky’s MATRIX autonomy technology forms the core of DARPA’s Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) project.

We believe MATRIX technology is ready now for transition to the Army, as they look to modernize the enduring helicopter fleet, and acquire Future Vertical Lift aircraft,” explained Igor Cherepinsky, Director of Sikorsky Innovations. “In addition to increasing flight safety and reliability, MATRIX technology enables survivability in high tempo, high threat 21st-century security environments where Black Hawk helicopters operate today, and Defiant X and Raider X helicopters could operate in the future. Uncrewed or reduced-crewed helicopters could safely perform critical and lifesaving missions day or night in complex terrain and in contested battlespace”.

During the demonstrations, Sikorsky and DARPA showed how the optionally-piloted Black Hawk with no humans on board can deliver a large quantity of blood product unharmed, by flying low and fast using terrain for signature-masking; can resupply troops with an external load; and can re-route mid-flight to evacuate a casualty. The demonstration missions encompassed:

Long-endurance medical resupply: the aircraft flew 83mi while loaded with 400 units of real and simulated blood – a 500lb total. At 40mi from initial take-off point, it descended to as low as 200ft AGL at a 100kts speed;

Combined cargo delivery/casualty evacuation: lifting off with a 2,600lb external load on a 40ft sling, the aircraft flew towards a designated landing zone for 30min at 100kts, then was re-directed, simulating a scenario in which a threat needed to be neutralised near the primary landing site. Sikorsky demonstrated how a ground operator with a secure radio and tablet can take control of the uncrewed helicopter, command it to release its sling load, then land to evacuate a casualty and initiate the renewed take-off and return flight.

The PC22 demonstrations were the second set of uncrewed flights for the Black Hawk this year. Sikorsky and DARPA will continue to work towards transitioning this technology for military operations, such as aircrew support and operations, logistics and medical resupply, casualty evacuation, as well as commercial applications such as firefighting, cargo and urban air mobility.

 

The uncrewed flights hold significant potential impact for both military and commercial operations. (Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin)

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Publish date

11/03/2022

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