Black Hawk autonomy advances as S-92 support deals renewed

Sikorsky has announced two developments spanning military autonomy and commercial helicopter support, highlighting continued investment in advanced capability and fleet reliability.

The company confirmed the successful flight testing and delivery of the US Army’s experimental UH-60MX Black Hawk helicopter, integrated with its MATRIX autonomy suite. The aircraft, owned and operated by the Army, represents a step forward in optionally piloted and autonomous flight.

“The Army now has a new tool that furthers its vision laid out in the Army Transformation Initiative to mature and qualify pilot supported autonomy,” said Rich Benton, Vice President and General Manager, Sikorsky.

The UH-60MX incorporates fly-by-wire controls and builds on previous optionally piloted Black Hawk testing. The Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) will use the platform to evaluate autonomy, supporting future operations that transition between crewed, optionally piloted, and uncrewed modes. Sikorsky says MATRIX enables improved mission effectiveness, survivability, reduced pilot workload, and lower life-cycle costs, while providing a scalable foundation for future autonomous systems.

Separately, Sikorsky reported strong uptake of its S-92 Total Assurance Program (TAP), with six operators renewing multi-year support agreements in the 10 months to February 2026, covering nearly 100 aircraft.

“The past 10 months have seen strong demand by offshore energy companies to renew TAP aftermarket agreements into the early 2030s,” said Leon Silva, Sikorsky Vice President, Global Commercial and Military Systems. “Multi-year coverage signals confidence in the reliability and endurance of the S-92 helicopter, and in our ability to deliver or stock aftermarket parts that help these aircraft fly consistently in the mid-90% availability rates, among the highest in the industry.”

TAP, a power-by-the-hour-style program, covers more than 90% of replacement parts costs and supports operators across offshore energy and search and rescue (SAR) sectors.

Sikorsky noted that data-driven maintenance and global parts availability had contributed to improved reliability across the S-92 fleet, which has now accumulated 2.6 million flight hours.

Lithuania recently welcomed the addition of four US-built UH-60M Black Hawks, representing a significant upgrade to the Lithuanian armed forces’ air mobility and rescue capability.