The world’s most famous fighting helicopter, The Black Hawk, can now fly without a pilot. US company Sikorsky unveiled its new helicopter, the S-70UAS U-HAWK, at the continued AUSA 2025 conference in Washington. It is a fully autonomous version of the UH-60L Black Hawk, which can perform logistics (delivery), supervision and combat activities without a human pilot. Simply put, it is a great drone helicopter that can perform long missions while saving the lives of soldiers. Origin of the U-Hawk: How did the Black Hawk become an autonomous helicopter? The Black Hawk helicopter is an old friend of the US Army. Since the 1970s, it has transported troops, delivered supplies and supported combat operations. But now dangers in the battlefield have increased. So, Sikorsky redesigned it. They removed the cabin (pilot’s cabin), seats and all crew stations. Instead, they installed clapping doors at the front and a cargo ramp at the back, which increased the interior by 25%. This change lasted ten months. “We took the DNA of the Black Hawk and gave it new power,” said Rich Benton, Vice President of Sikorsky. “It’s not just a demo, but a blueprint for affordable autonomous technology.” The helicopter is managed by an automated system called Matrix. The system creates its own path, avoids barriers and makes decisions in real time. An operator can control everything from the engine starting to the end of the mission via tablet. No pilot required. Important features of U-Hawk: What’s new? No cabin: completely unwritten, which protects pilots from danger. Modular design: Older black falcons can be easily upgraded. “Our focus is on retrofit,” says Igor Cherepinsky, director of Sikorsky Innovations. Existing helicopters can be renovated without starting from scratch. Fly-for-wire system: A low-cost-third-generation control system that uses computer-controlled flight. Freight load: Direct drifting and forwarding cargo from the front doors. No manual lifting. Mission Flexibility: Logistics, ISR (Intelligence Supervisory), Drone Lansening and Land Vehicle deployment. This helicopter will work in high risk areas, such as providing supplies in the enemy area. Complete specifications: Understanding the numbers’ base model: UH-60L Black Hawk, fully unwritten version. Engine: Two GE T700-GE-701D-TURBOSHAFTS, each 1940 as horsepower. Maximum velocity: about 340 km/h, the same as the standard black falcon. Reach: About 2.960 km with internal fuel tank. Lift Time: More than 14 hours. Without fuel. Internal payload: About 3,175 kg, four JMIC containers or Himars rocket pools. External Elevator: About 4,082 kg, for hung load. First flight: Prototype to be delivered within 300 days, 2026. These specifications indicate that the U-Hawk can carry longer and heavier loads than the older black falcon. For example, it can use the HDT Hunter Wolf 6×6 UGV (unwritten ground vehicle) for air-to-ground team. U-Hawk’s missions: What can it do? Quick re -offer: Prompt supplies, such as weapons or medicine, to troops. ISR -DRONE DEPENDING: Introducing and supervision of sensor. Logistics in prohibited areas: pilotless flights to enemy airspace. Swarm operations: Collaborate with various drones. Combat: Attack by wearing rocket pods or missiles. The US Army’s logistics and special operational command is interested in it. This will give a new life rental to the outdated UH-60 fleet. Future: What next? Sikorsky plans to make his first flight in 2026. Next, it will upgrade it to more than 2000 Black Hawk aircraft in the US Army. Autonomous logistics is the key to the Pentagon strategy, especially in wars against enemies such as China or Russia. The U-Hawk will prove that even old machines can become immortal with new technology.
Not a drone, but a super helicopter! This American machine will cause a devastation in the war without a pilot, know what the strength and functions are
