Sikorsky U-Hawk

History

The S-70UAS U-Hawk is a fully autonomous uncrewed helicopter developed by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, as part of its "Black Hawk 2070" modernization strategy for the UH-60 fleet. Sikorsky unveiled the U-Hawk at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) exhibition in Washington on 13 October 2025, less than 10 months after starting development. The prototype was built by Sikorsky Innovations from a used UH-60L, with the cockpit and crew stations removed and replaced by actuated clamshell doors and a loading ramp. Sikorsky plans the U-Hawk's first flight for 2026.

Design

The U-Hawk replaces the cockpit and conventional flight controls with a fly-by-wire system running Sikorsky's MATRIX autonomy software. An operator commands the aircraft through a tablet interface that generates flight plans automatically. The expanded cabin can carry four Joint Modular Intermodal Containers instead of the standard two, a HIMARS pod of six rockets, two Naval Strike Missiles, or a small unmanned ground vehicle driven up the ramp. A quiver system inside the cabin carries launched effects for deployment in mass, supporting reconnaissance, communication relay, electronic warfare, and strike roles. Sikorsky states the U-Hawk retains 95 percent commonality with the UH-60 fleet, simplifying operations and sustainment.

Specifications

All figures below are stated by Sikorsky.

• Internal cargo volume: 25 percent greater than a standard UH-60L
• Self-deployment range: 1,600 nautical miles
• Loiter endurance: up to 14 hours
• Total lift capacity: 10,000 lb (internal and external combined)
• External cargo hook: 9,000 lb
• Launched effects capacity (quiver): 24 to 50

Program Status

As of October 2026, the U-Hawk prototype is in Sikorsky's innovations hangar in Bridgeport, Connecticut, receiving final preparation for its planned first flight. Sikorsky chief Richard Benton stated the U.S. Marine Corps is "very interested" in the aircraft. Sikorsky sees divested Black Hawks as ideal candidates for conversion to U-Hawk configuration as a cost-effective route to fielding the capability. The U-Hawk is positioned as a complement to the Army's MV-75 Cheyenne II tiltrotor rather than a one-for-one replacement for crewed Black Hawks.