A UH-60A Black Hawk Just Flew With No Pilot On Board

DARPA's Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System program conducted the unmanned autonomous demonstration flight.

Kimberly Johnson

Wednesday, February 09, 2022 at 03:52 PM ET

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The helicopter was retrofitted with Sikorsky Matrix autonomy technology. [Courtesy: Lockheed Martin]

Key Takeaways:

DARPA's ALIAS program successfully conducted the first uncrewed 30-minute flight of a UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter over Fort Campbell, Kentucky, using Sikorsky Matrix autonomy technology.
The helicopter, retrofitted with "virtual second pilot" technology, autonomously performed complex maneuvers, real-time route replanning, and a perfect landing.
The ALIAS program aims to reduce pilot workload, enhance operational flexibility (including flight in challenging conditions or without pilots), and improve safety by preventing dangerous situations.
This demonstration facilitates the transition of advanced autonomous flight technology from DARPA to the U.S. Army for broader use and development.

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A UH-60A Black Hawk recently took a 30-minute flight over Fort Campbell, Kentucky, with no pilot or crew on board. In fact, no one was on board the helicopter at all, according to the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).

The February 5 uncrewed flight of the Army Black Hawk helicopter retrofitted with automation technology—a first for the aircraft—was conducted by DARPA’s Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program.