Army takes delivery of first autonomous Black Hawk (DARPA ALIAS/MATRIX); Northern Strike testing
Key Questions
What is the DARPA ALIAS/MATRIX program for Black Hawks?
DARPA's Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) and Sikorsky's MATRIX enable autonomous operations on H-60 Black Hawks. The Army took delivery of the first autonomous Black Hawk, designated H-60Mx, at Fort Eustis for SAFE 70nm cargo/MEDEVAC/DEVCOM.
What testing is planned for autonomous Black Hawks?
Northern Strike 25-2 will test optional piloted vehicle (OPV) in contested medevac/resupply scenarios. Sikorsky is retrofitting Black Hawks for these autonomy features.
What other UAS initiatives involve Texas A&M?
Texas A&M received a $5M UAS battalion/training grant, including firefighting applications alongside autonomous aviation efforts like Robinson Helicopter's new Unmanned Business Unit.
H-60Mx Fort Eustis SAFE 70nm cargo/MEDEVAC/DEVCOM; Northern Strike 25-2 OPV contested medevac/resupply; Sikorsky retrofit; Texas A&M firefighting + $5M UAS batt/training grant.