U.S. Army awards Sikorsky contract for Black Hawk upgrade

The U.S. Army has awarded Sikorsky, part of Lockheed Martin, an initial $43 million contract to begin engineering work on modernising the Black Hawk helicopter, according to an announcement made on 20 August.

The funding will cover airframe improvements and the development of a new “digital backbone” to support future upgrades. The Army intends the backbone to allow easier integration of unmanned systems and other emerging technologies.

The work also includes model-based systems engineering to establish requirements and architecture for longer-term updates.

According to the company, one of the near-term goals is enabling the Black Hawk to deploy so-called “launched effects,” essentially unmanned aerial systems and other payloads that can be released in flight to extend the helicopter’s reach. Lockheed Martin has been testing these capabilities for several years and expects to deliver an operational version by 2026.

The U.S. military is pursuing similar concepts across its aviation fleet, particularly in the Indo-Pacific where long ranges and contested airspace highlight the value of unmanned adjuncts.

Sikorsky says the engineering work will also address a more powerful engine, fuel system upgrades, and airframe improvements, laying the foundation for heavier payloads and greater range. Future phases could include more advanced flight control systems with autonomy and artificial intelligence features to assist pilots in challenging environments.

While the company highlighted benefits such as reduced sustainment costs and improved reliability, the Black Hawk’s long-term future remains contested. The U.S. Army has nonetheless signalled that a modernised Black Hawk will continue to operate alongside its eventual replacement well into the 2030s.

This new contract does not cover large-scale production or retrofits but is intended to set the technical groundwork for a wider upgrade programme. Implementation would involve Sikorsky and its network of U.S. suppliers, though timelines and costs for subsequent phases have not yet been announced.