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.
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.