Sikorsky Signs New Army Contract to Modernize Black Hawk Helicopters

The U.S. Army has awarded Sikorsky a new contract to modernize its combat-proven Black Hawk helicopters. The company, operating under the Lockheed Martin umbrella, will implement $43 million in the first phase, including improvements to the helicopters' airframe and a digital backbone capability that will enable rapid unmanned aerial systems (UAS) integration.

In a statement, Sikorsky stated that the modernization will provide significant advantages to US soldiers in regions such as the Indo-Pacific, saying, "Integrating launched effects into the Black Hawk will significantly increase the helicopter's mission capabilities."

The contract includes developing the aircraft's architecture and requirements using a model-based systems engineering (MBSE) approach. This will create a digital thread for the Black Hawk, making design, testing, and maintenance processes faster and more efficient.

The Black Hawk will also be integrated with more powerful engines, core fuel system improvements, and AI-powered flight control systems in later stages. This will allow the helicopters to reach greater range, carry greater payloads, and provide pilots with autonomy during challenging operations.

Lockheed Martin has been conducting "launched effects capabilities" testing on the Black Hawk platform for years. The new contract reportedly aims to deliver a combined modernization capability with the U.S. Army by 2026.