Sikorsky S-70UAS U-Hawk

Also known as

U-Hawk
S-70UAS U-Hawk
S-70 U-Hawk
S-70 UAS
S-70 UAS U-Hawk

The Sikorsky S-70UAS U-Hawk is a 2025 autonomous UH-60L Black Hawk conversion that removes the cockpit, adds clamshell doors and a rear ramp, and turns the helicopter into a cargo-first UAS. Sikorsky said it completed the redesign in 10 months and showed payload options ranging from palletized cargo to a HIMARS rocket pod and Naval Strike Missile loads; no direct conflict use or public first-flight confirmation was found in sources checked through July 4, 2026.

Sikorsky S-70UAS U-Hawk, Autonomous cargo utility helicopter UAS, Aircraft & UAVs

Image source: S-70UAS U-Hawk photo

Role in Conflicts

Side: Unconfirmed conflict context

No confirmed combat use was identified; Sikorsky unveiled the U-Hawk as a prototype autonomous cargo and mission platform, with first flight still described as expected in 2026 in the public sources checked.

Profile / Specs

Profile

Origin: United States
Built by: Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation
Type: Autonomous cargo utility helicopter UAS
Service note: 2025-present
Designed: 2025
Produced: Prototype announced in 2025
Number built: 1 prototype unveiled
Developed from: UH-60L Black Hawk

Specifications

Base airframe: UH-60L Black Hawk
Cargo access: Cockpit removed and replaced by clamshell doors plus a loading ramp
Cargo space: 25% more cargo space than a typical Black Hawk
Autonomy: MATRIX autonomy with tablet mission control and low-cost fly-by-wire
Payload options: Can carry four Joint Modular Intermodal Containers, a HIMARS pod of six rockets, or two Naval Strike Missiles
Endurance: Self-deploy over 1,600 nm or loiter for up to 14 hours
External lift: Retains 9,000 lb cargo-hook lift capability

Payload Examples

Sikorsky's unveiling used these weapons as transport examples for the enlarged U-Hawk cabin; the source supports carriage as cargo, not launch or firing from the helicopter.

Carried item	Item type	Carriage evidence
Naval Strike Missile	Missile payload example	Lockheed Martin says the U-Hawk can carry two Naval Strike Missiles as an internal missile-transport load. Sources: Sikorsky Converts BLACK HAWK into U-Hawk, A Battle-Ready Autonomous UAS

Carried item

Item type

Carriage evidence

Naval Strike Missile

Missile payload example

Lockheed Martin says the U-Hawk can carry two Naval Strike Missiles as an internal missile-transport load.

Sources: Sikorsky Converts BLACK HAWK into U-Hawk, A Battle-Ready Autonomous UAS

Design Notes

Lockheed Martin described the U-Hawk as a cargo-first Black Hawk conversion that keeps the UH-60L airframe while shifting the crewed cockpit volume into an unmanned payload bay.

Front cargo access

The cockpit, seats, and crew stations are removed and replaced by actuated clamshell doors plus a loading ramp.

Autonomy path

A tablet interface, fly-by-wire controls, cameras, sensors, algorithms, and MATRIX autonomy handle mission-command and flight-plan generation.

Payload examples

Sikorsky listed four JMIC containers, a six-rocket HIMARS pod, two Naval Strike Missiles, launched effects, UGV carriage, and internal fuel tanks as example configurations.

The same announcement gave a 25% cargo-space increase, over 1,600 nm self-deploy range, up to 14 hours of loiter time, and retained 9,000 lb external cargo-hook lift.

Timeline

Sikorsky S-70UAS U-Hawk Key Events

Oct 13, 2025
U-Hawk is unveiled
Lockheed Martin unveiled the S-70UAS U-Hawk at AUSA and said Sikorsky had transformed a UH-60L Black Hawk into an autonomous cargo UAS in about 10 months.
Sources: Sikorsky Converts BLACK HAWK into U-Hawk, A Battle-Ready Autonomous UAS
Jan 1, 2026
First flight expected
Sikorsky said the redesign and structural modification work was expected to lead to the first U-Hawk flight in 2026.
Sources: Sikorsky Converts BLACK HAWK into U-Hawk, A Battle-Ready Autonomous UAS