“Sikorsky is ready to implement new technologies that will strengthen the combat-proven Black Hawk helicopter and give U.S. Army soldiers greater advantage in areas like the Indo-Pacific,” said Hamid Salim, vice president, Army and Air Force Systems at Sikorsky. “Integrating launched effects into the Black Hawk will enhance its capabilities and provide a significant advantage. Modernization is reducing costs, increasing efficiency and improving the overall maintenance and sustainment for the aircraft.”
The contract supports the Army’s objective to integrate launched effects into the Black Hawk, enabling deployment of UAS and other capabilities to strengthen mission effectiveness. Lockheed Martin has already been demonstrating launched effects with the Black Hawk and is working with the Army towards a federated capability by 2026.
MBSE and digital engineering will form the backbone of the programme, creating a digital thread to support collaborative design, testing and maintenance. The digital backbone, aligned with a Modular Open System Approach (MOSA), will allow for advanced systems development and rapid capability insertion to meet future mission requirements.
Initial upgrades, including airframe enhancements, a main fuel system upgrade and digital backbone integration, are expected to provide a strong base for future improvements. Planned advances such as a more powerful engine, expanded payload capacity and autonomy features will enhance safety, efficiency and mission performance.
“Together with our team of hundreds of American suppliers, we are committed to delivering the most advanced and capable modernized Black Hawk to the U.S. Army,” Salim said. “We look forward to continuing our work with the Army to ensure that the Black Hawk remains a vital component of our nation’s defense capabilities for years to come.”
Sikorsky is already delivering technologies that will contribute to the modernised helicopter, including Upturned Exhaust System II kits. These upgrades provide current and future Black Hawks with improved infrared suppression, reduced weight, and enhanced reliability and maintainability.
