Sikorsky and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have successfully demonstrated to the U.S. Army how an unmanned Black Hawk helicopter flying autonomously can safely and reliably perform internal and external cargo resupply missions, as well as rescue operations.

The flights, which were conducted on Oct. 12, 14, and 18, as part of the U.S. Army’s Project Convergence 2022 (PC22) experiment, demonstrate how current and future piloted utility helicopters could one day fly complex missions in a low-crew or autonomous mode. In particular, in low visibility or contested environments, this would give Army commanders and aviators greater flexibility in how and when to use aircraft and pilots.

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In an effort to significantly increase the efficiency and safety of rotary and fixed-wing aircraft, Sikorsky and DARPA are collaborating to develop autonomy technology. Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System, a DARPA project, is built around Sikorsky’s autonomy system, also known as MATRIX™ technology.

The Sikorsky and DARPA team demonstrated during PC22 Technology Gateway how the optionally piloted Black Hawk helicopter with no humans on board can resupply troops with an external load, reroute mid-flight to evacuate a casualty, and deliver a large quantity of blood product unharmed by flying low and quickly above ground level and using the terrain to mask its signature.

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To begin the flight demonstrations, pilots flew and landed the Black Hawk aircraft, then activated the MATRIX system to give full control to the flight computer. When the pilots exited, the helicopter autonomously completed the following mission demonstrations:

• Long-endurance Medical Resupply: The Black Hawk aircraft flew 83 miles while loaded with 400 units of real and simulated blood – totaling 500 pounds. On reaching 40 miles from its initial take-off point, the helicopter descended into a valley as low as 200 feet above ground level at 100 knots.
• Cargo Delivery and Casualty Evacuation (combined mission): The helicopter lifted off with a 2,600-pound external load attached to a 40-foot sling, and flew at 100 knots for 30 minutes toward a designated landing zone. While in flight, the helicopter was redirected, simulating a scenario in which a threat needed to be neutralized near the primary landing site.

The second batch of uninhabited Black Hawk flights this year were the PC22 demonstrations. Sikorsky and DARPA will continue to work toward the transition of this technology for commercial applications like firefighting, cargo, and urban air mobility as well as military operations like casualty evacuation, logistics and medical resupply, and aircrew support and operations.