Sikorsky plans to begin construction of an unmanned prototype of its UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter it has been developing for tactical cargo missions, the company announced on May 13. “The autonomous Black Hawk will provide affordable, reliable, high-speed resupply to the warfighter in the harshest conditions at a cost per ton mile that competes with ground convoys,” said company research vice president Mark Miller. Sikorsky and the Army successfully demonstrated the concept in a series of optionally manned tests with a modified UH-60 helicopter earlier this year, according to the company. The company is courting the Defense Department as a development partner on the project and is “prepared to ramp up system conversions per year as demand requires,” said Sikorsky Defense President Samir Mehta. The proposed helicopter would be capable of carrying 9,000 pounds internally or slung under the helo, according to the release.
Amid a high-profile recruiting crisis, Air Force leaders and experts have increasingly noted the challenging long-term trends the service will face in enticing young Americans to sign up—decreasing eligibility to serve, less propensity to do so, and less familiarity with the military. But while those same leaders say there’s no “silver…