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Skyryse Achieves First SkyOS-Equipped Black Hawk Flight

Company is developing flight automation systems for a wide range of rotorcraft and fixed-wing aircraft.

Wednesday, December 24, 2025 at 09:00 AM ET

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A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter equipped with Skyryse’s SkyOS flight operating system completes an automated pickup, hover, and touchdown. [Credit: Skyryse]

Key Takeaways:

Skyryse successfully performed the first flight of a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter equipped with its SkyOS automated flight operating system, demonstrating simplified controls like finger-swipe takeoff/landing and single-joystick operation.
SkyOS replaces conventional controls with digital displays and a fly-by-wire system, aiming to make aircraft "easier, safer, and more intuitive to fly" while reducing pilot workload and enhancing safety features.
The universal SkyOS technology is designed for integration across various aircraft platforms, including different helicopters and fixed-wing planes, with applications for both military and civilian use, potentially enabling optionally piloted or autonomous flight.

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A UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter designed to take off or touch down with the swipe of a finger has made its first flight.

Skyryse, which began integrating its SkyOS universal flight operating system on the Black Hawk three months ago, on Tuesday announced the helicopter’s inaugural flight. It completed an automated pickup, hover, and touchdown, performing “precision flight maneuvers” with a single joystick while in the air, Skyryse said.

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.