A Black Hawk helicopter with no pilot? It's now a reality at Sikorsky in Stratford
Sen. Richard Blumenthal was able to control the chopper with a hand-held tablet during a demonstration at Sikorsky's headquarters on Tuesday.
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The Black Hawk helicopter, built in Stratford, has been the U.S. Army’s “workhorse” for decades.
Now imagine it without a pilot.
On Tuesday, Sikorsky demonstrated a new version of its nearly 50-year-old chopper that can fly remotely using a tablet. The company hopes the changes will keep the aging Black Hawk – and its 7,000 employees in Connecticut – in the air for decades to come.
“JUST PUSH A BUTTON”
Under a clear blue sky at Sikorsky’s headquarters along the Housatonic River, a massive Black Hawk lifted into the air.
But a pilot wasn’t controlling it - Sen. Richard Blumenthal was, with a computer pad.
“Really, all I had to do was push some buttons. It took no training,” he said. “It was really an amazing experience to be able to just push a button and see this helicopter maneuver.”
The H-60Mx Black Hawk OPV, which stands for Optimally Piloted Vehicle, can fly with two pilots, one pilot or none at all. Sikorsky spent a decade developing its MATRIX Autonomous Mission Manager software in Stratford.
The Army is currently testing an OPV with three more on order. It’s unclear when the military might actually deploy it.
“By proving out this technology, the Army aims to unlock a new era of aviation,” the Pentagon said in a press release. “One that will not only save lives but also ensure that critical missions can be completed under any circumstance.”
MATRIX software could also be used for civilian purposes, like Sikorsky’s Fire Hawk chopper that fights wildfires in California.
NEW UNMANNED DRONES
The Army is also testing Sikorsky’s new 18-foot-long “Nomad” drone, which can carry more firepower in a smaller space using a hybrid-electric powertrain.
“This aircraft can take off from ships, very small landing zones, crosswinds and all sorts of bad weather,” said Sikorsky pilot Igor Cherepinsky. “This is a helicopter. I know it doesn’t look like it, but it is.”
Blumenthal would like to see both aircraft eventually used in Ukraine.
“My preference would be for the United States to grant or loan this kind of aircraft,” he told reporters.
But new technology also brings new risks.
“One of the nightmare scenarios is that some rogue terrorist could hack into one of our systems,” Blumenthal said.
SIKORSKY’S FUTURE
Sikorsky is one of Connecticut’s largest employers, and hundreds of local suppliers rely on it for their survival.
But the defense contractor is heavily dependent on the aging Black Hawk platform. The company hopes autonomous flight, plus longer range and more advanced weapons systems, can keep the chopper relevant through the year 2070.
Sikorsky is now testing the S-70UAS U-Hawk, a fully autonomous version without a cockpit. Instead, the front of the chopper features two futuristic “clamshell doors” that can hold 25% more cargo space.
