ORLANDO, Fla., May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Sikorsky
Aircraft announced today from the AUVSI Unmanned Systems conference
that it will develop its first product to feature Matrix™
Technology, by converting a retired UH-60A BLACK HAWK helicopter
into an optionally piloted variant capable of a wide spectrum of
missions. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies
Corp. (NYSE: UTX).
With the autonomous BLACK HAWK, Sikorsky plans to build on the
success of its Matrix Technology and Manned/Unmanned Resupply
Aerial Lifter (MURAL) autonomy programs to deliver a new level of
mission flexibility to combat and logistic planners. The product
will integrate autonomy and advanced fleet management technology
with refurbishment experience to provide a cost-effective,
dependable and sustainable system.
The autonomous BLACK HAWK helicopter will offer the flexibility
of internal and external cargo capability, the strength to lift up
to 9,000 pounds, and the productivity of high cruise speeds. The
design is targeting a system loss rate of one per 100,000 flight
hours.
"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
Mark Miller, vice president of
Research & Engineering.
Design of a prototype system has been underway for more than a
year, and induction of the first BLACK HAWK helicopter will begin
later this month. Sikorsky will conduct a series of technology
maturation tests during the build period using the Sikorsky
Autonomy Research Aircraft (SARA), which is based on an
S-76® commercial helicopter.
"While today we are announcing the creation of a
proof-of-concept aircraft, Sikorsky is already prepared to ramp up
system conversions per year as demand requires," said Samir Mehta, Sikorsky's president of Defense
Systems & Services. "We are considering potential development
partners and look forward to working with the Department of Defense
and other customers to mature this concept and its associated
operations."
In collaboration with the U.S. Army, Sikorsky successfully
demonstrated the ability of a UH-60M Upgrade Optionally Piloted
BLACK HAWK helicopter to conduct autonomous flight and autonomous
cargo resupply demonstrations through its MURAL Program earlier
this year.
For the past year, Sikorsky has been aggressively advancing
helicopter autonomous flight with its Matrix Technology program.
The Matrix test aircraft, SARA, has conducted continuous flight
testing to increase capabilities, adding advanced perception
flights to its latest phase of envelope expansion.
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., based in Stratford, Connecticut, is a world leader in
aircraft design, manufacture and service. United Technologies
Corp., based in Hartford,
Connecticut, provides a broad range of high-technology
products and support services to the aerospace and building systems
industries.
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SOURCE Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.