Sikorsky unveils the U-Hawk, the unmanned variant of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter

The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk is an excellent helicopter that has been in service for many years but continues to be a sales success.

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The Black Hawk made its first flight on November 29, 1974, and entered service in 1978. So many years later, its manufacturer is still exploring new market niches for this aircraft. Today Sikorsky unveiled the S-70UAS U-Hawk, an unmanned variant that completely eliminates the crew cabin, leaving room for two cargo doors and a ramp. Sikorsky unveiled this new model in a video published just a few hours ago:

The S-70UAS was developed from the UH-60L, a version of the Black Hawk that entered production in 1989 and was fitted with more powerful T700-GE-701C engines. The U-Hawk offers 25% more cargo space without enlarging the aircraft's fuselage.

Sikorsky says it took just 10 months to go from concept to finished helicopter, although the U-Hawk is not expected to make its first flight until 2026.

The U-Hawk manufacturer claims this UH-60 variant can carry one HDT Hunter Wolf 6x6 UGV unmanned ground vehicle, up to four Joint Modular Intermodal Containers, or one six-rocket HIMARS pod or two Naval Strike Missiles.

In terms of performance, the U-Hawk has a range of 1,600 nautical miles (2,963 km) compared to the UH-60M's ferry range of 1,199 nautical miles (2,221 km), and can stay airborne for up to 14 hours without refueling.

In addition to the new clamshell front door, the U-Hawk retains side doors for access to its cargo bay and can also carry external cargo from a hook on the underside of the helicopter, similar to the Black Hawk. Sikorsky says the U-Hawk can lift an external load of up to 9,000 pounds (4,080 kg), while the helicopter’s total payload capacity, both internal and external, is increased to 10,000 pounds (4,535 kg), according to Lockheed Martin, Sikorsky’s parent company.

The U-Hawk eliminates the role of the pilot: "A tablet gives an operator full command of the U-Hawk aircraft from start-up to shut down," Sikorky notes. "At the touch of a button, the two clamshell doors open and a ramp lowers to allow easy cargo loading or drive-on capability. To prepare for flight, the automated sequence is reversed. Once loaded, an operator inputs mission goals via the tablet. The MATRIX autonomy system automatically generates a flight plan, relying on cameras, sensors and algorithms to help navigate the U-Hawk aircraft safely to its destination."

I have to confess that the Black Hawk has been my favorite helicopter since I first saw it as a child. I hope that this variant, which adds to the wide range of versions of this helicopter, means that the Black Hawk still has a long life ahead of it.

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Images: Sikorsky.