The Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV) Black Hawk program was launched by the US Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (AMRDEC). A JUH-60A was modified as the Rotorcraft Aircrew Systems Concept Airborne Laboratory ( RASCAL ) to develop the next generation of technological advances in military helicopters: obstacle field navigation and safe landing area determination.
In 2022, equipped with DARPA Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System ( ALIAS ) completed its first uninhabited and autonomous flight.
In 2022, equipped with DARPA Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System ( ALIAS ) completed its first uninhabited and autonomous flight.
OPV Black Hawk News |
Remotely Controlled Firefighter Black Hawk Helicopter
12-Apr-23 - California-based Rain Industries remotely commands a Sikorsky UH-60 Fire Hawk helicopter via satellite link from a central command center #firefighting
“Best of What’s New” for Optionally Piloted Black Hawk
01-Dec-22 - The Lockheed Martin / Sikorsky optionally piloted Black Hawk helicopter was selected for Popular Science magazine award “Best of What’s New” 2022 #innovation
Black Hawk Flies Missions Without Pilots
04-Nov-22 - Sikorsky and DARPA’s Autonomous Black Hawk helicopter completed uninhabited flight lifting external cargo and flying casualty evacuation and medical resupply missions #drones
“ALIAS” OPV Black Hawk First Autonomous Flight
09-Feb-22 - The Sikorsky Optionally Piloted Vehicle (OPV) JUH-60A Black Hawk helicopter demonstrator completed first uninhabited and autonomous flight with DARPA’s ALIAS (Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System) #drones
OPV Black Hawk with Supervised Autonomy
30-Mar-21 - Sikorsky and DARPA fly the optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) Black Hawk helicopter with supervised autonomy #drones| 19-Aug-19 | Black Hawk SFM Drone First Flight #drones |
| 06-Jun-19 | New Fly-by-Wire Kit for Optionally Piloted Black Hawk #BlackHawk |
| 20-Jan-16 | UGV/UAV Joint Autonomy demonstration for US Army |
| 13-May-14 | Autonomous UH-60A for Cargo missions |
| 13-May-14 | Sikorsky and NREC partners in Army demonstration |
| 21-Apr-14 | Optionally Piloted Black Hawk First Flight |
| 29-Apr-13 | US Army Optionally Piloted Black Hawk |
| 03-Dec-12 | US Army Black Hawk flies autonomously |
List of Operators of OPV Black Hawk |
| Years | Model | Org | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974- | S-70 H-60 |  Sikorsky Helicopters |
Construction Numbers |
| C/N | Year | History | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70-115 | 1980 | 79-23298,N600PV | ||
