Sikorsky, a division of Lockheed Martin, presented the S-70UAS U-Hawk during AUSA 2025 in Washington — a fully unmanned version of the legendary UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter.
The model was developed based on UH-60L units retired from service by the U.S. Army, combining a proven platform with modern automation and remote-control technologies.
The main structural modification of the U-Hawk is the removal of the crew cockpit, replaced by a clamshell nose and a retractable loading ramp that facilitates the transport of large cargo.
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This new configuration increases the internal cargo space by 25% compared to the manned Black Hawk versions, making it more efficient for autonomous transport and logistical missions.
The helicopter also incorporates an updated fly-by-wire system and dedicated equipment for autonomous flight, allowing it to operate without direct human intervention.
According to Sikorsky, production and maintenance costs have been significantly reduced thanks to the vertical integration of components — including onboard computers priced in the tens of thousands of dollars, compared to hundreds of thousands in manned systems.
With the U-Hawk, Lockheed Martin aims to provide a cost-effective, versatile, and fleet-compatible solution by repurposing surplus UH-60L aircraft.
The aircraft represents a new milestone in the evolution of autonomous cargo helicopters, with potential applications in military, humanitarian, and logistics missions in high-risk environments.
Source and images: Lockheed Martin News | @LMNews. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
