Sikorsky secures $43M US Army contract to modernize Black Hawk

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has secured a $43 million US Army contract to kick off the next phase of Black Hawk modernization, the company announced on August 20, 2025.  

The deal will fund engineering efforts focused on upgrading the airframe, developing a digital backbone for faster systems integration, and laying the groundwork for unmanned aerial systems (UAS) deployment from the helicopter. 

“This contract allows us to implement new technologies that will strengthen the combat-proven Black Hawk helicopter and give US Army soldiers greater advantage in areas like the Indo-Pacific,” said Hamid Salim, Vice President of US Army and Air Force Systems at Sikorsky. “Integrating launched effects into the Black Hawk will enhance its capabilities and provide a significant advantage.” 

The effort is part of the US Army’s push to integrate “launched effects,” UAS and other deployable systems, into the Black Hawk fleet to expand its mission range and situational awareness. Lockheed Martin has already been demonstrating this capability, with operational integration targeted for 2026. 

A major part of the contract focuses on model-based systems engineering (MBSE) and the creation of a “digital thread” for the Black Hawk. This digital backbone, built under a Modular Open System Approach (MOSA), will simplify future upgrades, accelerate testing, and streamline maintenance by enabling rapid integration of emerging technologies. 

Planned upgrades also include airframe enhancements, fuel system improvements, and eventual integration of more powerful engines and AI-assisted flight controls. These changes will boost payload capacity, range, and safety, while reducing operating and sustainment costs. 

Sikorsky is already fielding upgrades designed to improve the current fleet. Among them are Upturned Exhaust System II kits, which enhance infrared suppression, reduce weight, and improve reliability and maintainability, benefits that will also carry over to the modernized platform. 

A legacy platform evolving for modern missions 

More than four decades after its introduction, the Black Hawk remains a cornerstone of US Army aviation, with more than 5,000 aircraft in service across 36 countries and over 15 million flight hours logged, including five million in combat. 

At the Paris Air Show in July 2025, Sikorsky executives reaffirmed their commitment to keeping the Black Hawk relevant well into the future. Jay Macklin, Sikorsky’s Director of Business Development for US Army and Air Force Systems, highlighted ongoing discussions with the US Army for an 11th multi-year procurement contract, potentially extending production through 2032. 

Future priorities for the platform include improved external lift, enhanced modularity, and seamless integration into joint all-domain operations. The adoption of open systems architecture is central to these goals, ensuring the helicopter can adapt quickly to evolving operational demands. 

Autonomy is another area of focus. Sikorsky’s Matrix software, tested on legacy UH-60 airframes, allows for fully autonomous flight or varying levels of pilot assistance, creating what the company calls an “intelligent co-pilot.” 

“We know the Black Hawk of tomorrow must be better than the Black Hawk of today,” Macklin said. 

With modernization efforts accelerating, Sikorsky and its extensive supplier network aim to keep the Black Hawk a mainstay of US Army aviation and an increasingly capable platform for allied operators worldwide. The post Sikorsky secures $43M US Army contract to modernize Black Hawk appeared first on AeroTime.

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