A US Army National Guard soldier has become the first person without formal pilot training to plan and execute autonomous helicopter missions using Lockheed Martin Sikorsky’s MATRIX technology, the company stated.
During the Northern Strike 25-2 exercises at Camp Grayling, Michigan, Sikorsky fielded its Optionally Piloted Black Hawk to demonstrate how autonomous systems could expand operational reach and reduce risk to personnel.
Working with the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency and DARPA, the trials marked the first time an autonomous Black Hawk flew under the full control of a serving soldier rather than a trained test pilot or engineer.
The soldier, a Sergeant First Class, learned to use the system’s handheld tablet in under an hour before independently commanding the aircraft to transport a 2,900-pound water tank, conduct precision parachute drops, and complete a medical evacuation simulation. The test showcased MATRIX’s ability to manage complex missions such as logistics, cargo delivery, and personnel recovery without direct pilot input.
Rich Benton, vice president and general manager at Sikorsky, said “Sikorsky’s MATRIX flight autonomy system can transform how military operators perform their missions. An optionally piloted Black Hawk can reduce pilot workload in a challenging environment or complete a resupply mission without humans on board.”
Across three demonstrations, the aircraft performed precision logistics drops over Lake Huron, completed autonomous sling load hookups, and executed a simulated MEDEVAC transfer at an unimproved landing site. Sikorsky said the system enables autonomous operation in contested or low-visibility environments, offering greater resilience for resupply and recovery missions.
MATRIX technology forms part of DARPA’s Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) programme, designed to give operators greater control of complex aviation systems. Sikorsky described the Northern Strike trials as a proof of concept for “the next generation of agile, adaptable aircraft systems.”
