US Army Awards Sikorsky $43M to Upgrade Black Hawk Fleet
The US Army has awarded Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin subsidiary, a $43 million contract to advance modernization of the Black Hawk medium-lift multi-role helicopter.
The program will focus on strengthening the airframe and fuel system, while adding a digital backbone that supports integration with uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and launched effects expected to enter service by 2026.
The enhancements will also expand the Black Hawk’s payload capacity, range, and future adaptability, including upgrades for autonomy and artificial intelligence in flight control.
This effort builds on ongoing modernization work. Sikorsky is already producing Upturned Exhaust System II kits, improving infrared suppression, weight efficiency, and reliability.
In October 2024, the company received a $6 million contract to equip the Army’s fly-by-wire UH-60M with its MATRIX autonomy system by 2025—part of a long-term plan to transform the Black Hawk into an autonomy-enabled aircraft to reduce pilot workload and enhance safety in contested operations.
The Black Hawk has also been used for launched effects testing, including a 2023 trial of Anduril’s Altius 700 unmanned air vehicle, successfully validating its performance in all mission phases.
