Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky unveils U-Hawk: an autonomous utility UAS built from Black Hawk [VIDEO]

The U-Hawk is designed for multiple missions, including transporting missiles, launching drones, carrying large cargo or fuel tanks, and deploying uncrewed ground vehicles. Its extended cabin space supports forward loading and oversized payloads, while retaining the UH-60L’s side-door cargo loading and external lift capacity of 9,000 pounds (4,080 kg).

“Sikorsky is innovating a 21st century solution by converting UH‑60L Black Hawks into a fully autonomous utility platform,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. “We developed this prototype from concept to reality in under a year, and the modifications made to transform this crewed Black Hawk into a multi-mission payload UAS can be replicated at scale quickly and affordably. The U-Hawk continues the Black Hawk legacy of being the world’s premier utility aircraft and opens the door to new capabilities as a UAS.”

Introducing the S-70UAS U-Hawk.#AUSA #AUSA2025 pic.twitter.com/43hXoxYFG7

— LMEvents (@LMEvents) October 13, 2025

Operated by tablet rather than pilot, the U-Hawk features automated cargo loading sequences, mission programming, and autonomous navigation guided by cameras, sensors, and algorithms. First flight of the uncrewed prototype is expected in 2026, under the leadership of Sikorsky Innovations’ rapid prototyping team.

“The U‑Hawk offers a cost‑effective utility UAS by leveraging commonality with the existing UH‑60 fleet, and its uncrewed nature reduces both operating and maintenance costs,” said Igor Cherepinsky, Sikorsky Innovations director. “We focused on efficiencies in the retrofit by designing and manufacturing vehicle management computers, actuation components and airframe modifications. We will incorporate those efficiencies into future modifications and manufacturing for our family of UAS products.”

By eliminating the crew compartment, Sikorsky has created a flexible and efficient platform capable of self-deploying over 1,600 nautical miles or loitering for up to 14 hours. The U-Hawk offers expanded utility for a wide range of tactical and logistical missions without requiring a pilot on board.