The Army will upgrade its UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to launch drones in flight under a $43 million deal with American aerospace company Sikorsky, the company announced on Wednesday.
The upgrades, scheduled for 2026, will allow crews to operate drones directly from the cockpit.
The capability supports the Army’s “launched effects” program, which uses small unmanned systems deployed from larger platforms for reconnaissance, strike, and electronic warfare missions.
“Integrating launched effects into the Black Hawk will enhance its capabilities and provide a significant advantage. Modernization is reducing costs, increasing efficiency and improving the overall maintenance and sustainment for the aircraft,” Hamid Salim, vice president of Army and Air Force Systems at Sikorsky said.
According to Sikorsky, the contract also covers early upgrades to the Black Hawk’s airframe, fuel system, and digital systems.
“With a more powerful engine, airframe enhancements and a main fuel upgrade, the aircraft will carry more payload at greater range, and future upgrades to flight controls to include autonomy and AI features that will assist pilots in tough conditions increasing mission safety and effectiveness,” the company’s press release noted.
Salim said the upgrades will strengthen the Black Hawk and give the U.S. Army soldiers greater advantage in regions such as the Indo-Pacific. “We look forward to continuing our work with the Army to ensure that the Black Hawk remains a vital component of our nation’s defense capabilities for years to come,” he added.
