U.S. Army Awards Sikorsky $43M Contract for Black Hawk Modernization

Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky has been awarded a $43 million U.S. Army contract to advance modernization efforts for the Black Hawk helicopter.

The initial contract phase will fund engineering work on core upgrades, including airframe enhancements and the addition of a digital backbone to enable faster integration of unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The project also covers development of requirements and architecture using model-based systems engineering (MBSE).

According to Sikorsky, the modernization plan aligns with the Army’s priority of integrating launched effects into the Black Hawk, allowing the helicopter to deploy drones and other effects to expand mission capabilities. Lockheed Martin has previously demonstrated launched effects on the Black Hawk and is working with the Army to field the capability by 2026.

The digital backbone initiative, designed under a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA), will create a digital thread to support collaborative design, testing, and maintenance. This system is expected to allow rapid insertion of new technologies to address evolving mission requirements.

Future upgrades may include autonomy and artificial intelligence features to assist pilots in demanding conditions, as well as a more powerful engine, enhanced airframe, and fuel system improvements to boost payload and range.

Sikorsky has already begun fielding technologies that align with the modernization plan, including the delivery of upturned exhaust systems II kits, which reduce infrared signature, lower weight, and improve reliability.