As part of the efforts to modernize its fleet of UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, the United States Army (US Army) awarded a new contract worth US$ 43 million to Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin, opening interesting possibilities for the future in terms of capabilities. The agreement focuses on two fundamental areas: the improvement of the fuselage structure and the development of a digital backbone that would facilitate the rapid integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), opening the possibility of integrating loitering munitions.
The company reported that the integration of this network would allow new capabilities to be incorporated more quickly, among them the so-called “launch effects,” which could potentially enable the Black Hawk to deploy UAS and loitering munitions. This advancement is part of the U.S. Army’s short-term priority of equipping the aircraft with greater mission capabilities.
“Sikorsky is ready to implement new technologies that will strengthen the combat-proven Black Hawk helicopter and provide U.S. Army soldiers with greater advantage in areas such as the Indo-Pacific,” said Hamid Salim, Sikorsky’s Vice President of Army and Air Force Systems. “The integration of launch effects into the Black Hawk will enhance its capabilities and provide it with a significant advantage. Modernization is reducing costs, increasing efficiency, and improving the maintenance and overall sustainment of the aircraft.”
The contract also includes the use of Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), a digital methodology aimed at optimizing the design, testing, and maintenance of systems before building physical prototypes. According to the company, this technique could reduce risks and accelerate the modernization cycle.
Sikorsky highlighted that the Black Hawk’s digital backbone will rely on a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), which would allow the rapid incorporation of new systems against emerging threats. In this context, Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Army expect to establish launch-effect integration capability by 2026.
Future improvements include a more powerful engine, structural upgrades, an improved fuel system, and flight controls with autonomy and artificial intelligence. These capabilities, currently in development, would be aimed at increasing payload, operational range, and mission safety.
Sikorsky has already begun to apply some technological advances to the fleet. Among them are the Inverted Exhaust System II kits, designed to provide the Black Hawk with improvements in infrared suppression, weight reduction, and greater maintenance reliability.
“Together with our team of hundreds of U.S. suppliers, we are committed to delivering the most advanced and capable modernized Black Hawk to the U.S. Army,” added Salim. “We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Army to ensure that the Black Hawk remains a vital component of our nation’s defense capabilities in the years to come.”
The modernization of the UH-60 Black Hawk is part of the U.S. Army’s Future Vertical Lift (FVL) program efforts, which considers air-launched effects (ALE) systems as key elements in future multi-domain operations. Among the systems tested is the ALTIUS family (Air-Launched, Tube-Integrated, Unmanned System), although new munitions specifically adapted for integration on this platform are expected to be developed.
*Cover image obtained from Lockheed Martin
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