Sikorsky advances Black Hawk modernisation with new engine ground tests
The UH-60M Black Hawk was equipped with two Improved Turbine Engines for ground runs. (Photo: Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin)
The UH-60 helicopter ground run test of the T901 engine is the first in a set of tests for boosting the helicopter’s range and lift capacity. The first flight of the improved engine Black Hawk is anticipated for later in 2025.
Sikorsky has announced the start of its ground runs on the UH-60 Black Hawk, ahead of the first flight of the improved engine-equipped helicopter later this year.
According to Sikorsky, the new GE Aerospace T901 Improved Turbine Engine (ITE) will boost the helicopter’s power by 50%, increasing its range and lift capacity. The ground test demonstrated the T901’s start-to-fly progression, which included idle and fly modes with the rotor brake disengaged.
Hamid Salim, VP of Army and Air Force Systems at Sikorsky, said: “A modernised Black Hawk fleet will create new operational opportunities for the Army by extending the capabilities of a proven, fielded fleet to travel farther on less fuel and with more troops and cargo.”
This engine update from Sikorsky is the latest in a series of announcements contributing towards the Black Hawk’s modernisation efforts for the US army. These efforts primarily focus on ITE and digital innovations to boost its mission readiness and extending its operational capabilities.
The first two engines were delivered to Sikorsky in installation in June 2024. The T901 engine will also be installed on the US Army’s Apache fleets and was originally earmarked for the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) programme, before its cancellation in 2024.
UH-60M modernisation efforts and autonomy
In October 2024, Sikorsky announced that it had been awarded $6 million by the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to install the ALIAS/MATRIX flight autonomy system onto the US Army’s experimental Black Hawk helicopter.
According to the company, it plans to integrated the MATRIX system into the helicopter by 2025. Designated MX by the US Army, once operational, it will enable the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) to test and evaluate a range of autonomy capabilities.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
UH-60 Black Hawk L and V Models
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
You may also like
More from Air Warfare
-
![AFA 2025: CUAS solutions demonstrate modularity and portability focus]()
AFA 2025: CUAS solutions demonstrate modularity and portability focus
Aerovironment, Epirus and SNC displayed their counter-uncrewed aerial systems, with both non-kinetic and kinetic options for military services.
-
![Should the Ukrainian model for UAS technology development be copied?]()
Should the Ukrainian model for UAS technology development be copied?
The country’s industrial defence transformation since 2022 has ramped up rapidly, offering Europe and NATO lessons in agility, innovation and rapid procurement. But how easily can, or should, such wartime innovation be copied?
-
![MBDA signs Italian Navy Teseo Mk/E missile production contract, unveils HARPAX loitering munitions]()
MBDA signs Italian Navy Teseo Mk/E missile production contract, unveils HARPAX loitering munitions
The Mk/E missile will equip Italy’s FREMM EVO class frigates while MBDA’s Italian arm unveiled two of its new family of loitering munitions to respond to the needs of the Italian Army.
-
![What could the realignment of China, Russia, India and Pakistan mean for defence aerospace markets?]()
What could the realignment of China, Russia, India and Pakistan mean for defence aerospace markets?
As traditional Western alliances crumble and the wider strategic and economic background shifts, what does the realignment of relationships between these four countries mean for air power and the defence aerospace market?
-
![L3Harris selected for South Korea’s airborne early warning programme]()
L3Harris selected for South Korea’s airborne early warning programme
L3Harris’ offer of its “Phoenix” aircraft won over Saab’s GlobalEye AEW&C aircraft for the second phase of South Korea’s early warning requirement.
-
![US Army awards nearly $6 billion in contracts for CUAS interceptors and UAS systems]()
US Army awards nearly $6 billion in contracts for CUAS interceptors and UAS systems
A contract of $5 billion was awarded to Raytheon by the US Army, while a $982 million contract award for uncrewed systems was scooped to Mistral Group.
