Sikorsky given DARPA fund to install autonomy on US Army Black Hawk
MATRIX technology forms the core of DARPA’s Aircrew Labour in-cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) project, an ongoing partnership between Sikorsky and DARPA. (Photo: Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin)
The Lockheed Martin company plans to integrate the MATRIX system into the MX helicopter by 2025.
Sikorsky has been given a US$6 million award by the Defence Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to install the ALIAS/MATRIX flight autonomy system onto the US Army’s experimental UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
Recent flight demonstrations by Sikorsky and DARPA to US military and Department of Defense personnel were carried out in July 2024. They were built on Project Convergence 2022, during which Sikorsky and DARPA first demonstrated how the Black Hawk could be flown autonomously by entering high-level mission goals via a tablet.
This UH-60M upgraded aircraft, designated MX by the US Army, will enable the US Army Combat Capabilities development
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Anduril’s YFQ-44A successfully completes first flight test]()
Anduril’s YFQ-44A successfully completes first flight test
The drone is the second prototype to take flight under the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme.
-
![October Drone Digest: Growing desire for CCAs and new VTOL technology unveiled]()
October Drone Digest: Growing desire for CCAs and new VTOL technology unveiled
During October 2025, several countries and organisations signalled their intention to acquire loyal wingman uncrewed aircraft systems — designated by the US Air Force as Collaborative Combat Aircraft — or to study the capability further, while various new uncrewed helicopters were showcased.
-
![Australia starts upgrade programme for P-8A Poseidon fleet]()
Australia starts upgrade programme for P-8A Poseidon fleet
The upgrades will work to strengthen the country’s maritime surveillance and anti-submarine capabilities, with one more aircraft due to be delivered by 2026.
-
![Textron firms up potential bid for US Navy Undergraduate trainer contract]()
Textron firms up potential bid for US Navy Undergraduate trainer contract
The company has said it would assemble its Beechcraft M-346N aircraft at its east Wichita campus with significant investment placed to modernise the hub if it wins the contract.
-
![Airbus to position Eurofighter Typhoon for Portugal’s F-16 replacement requirement]()
Airbus to position Eurofighter Typhoon for Portugal’s F-16 replacement requirement
The MoU with AED Cluster Portugal will see the two organisations work together on studies to create a pitch to replace the country’s current F-16 fleet.
