Defense & Military
US Soldier commands Autonomous Black Hawk with Sikorsky MATRIX tech
A U.S. Army soldier operated an autonomous Black Hawk helicopter via tablet using Sikorsky’s MATRIX system at Northern Strike 25-2.
A New Chapter in Military Aviation: When Soldiers Fly Helicopters with Tablets
In a significant leap forward for military technology, a recent demonstration has blurred the lines between operator and aviator. For the first time, a U.S. Army National Guard Sergeant, who is not a trained pilot, successfully planned and executed a series of complex missions using an autonomous Black Hawk helicopter. This event, which took place during the Northern Strike 25-2 exercise at Camp Grayling, Michigan, showcased the power and accessibility of Sikorsky’s MATRIX™ technology, an advanced flight autonomy system. The exercise represents a pivotal moment, suggesting a future where complex aerial operations can be managed by soldiers on the ground with minimal training, potentially revolutionizing logistics, resupply, and rescue missions.
The demonstration was not merely a proof of concept; it was a rigorous test in a realistic operational environment. Conducted as a partnership between Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), and the Joint Personnel Recovery Agency, the exercise aimed to prove the viability of Optionally Piloted Vehicles (OPV) in modern warfare. The core technology, MATRIX, is a key component of DARPA’s Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program. This initiative seeks to integrate sophisticated Automation into existing aircraft, reducing the cognitive load on pilots and expanding mission capabilities, especially in high-risk scenarios where sending a crewed aircraft is unacceptably dangerous.
The implications of this successful demonstration are far-reaching. By placing advanced autonomous capabilities into the hands of a soldier with less than an hour of training, the military is exploring a fundamental shift in operational strategy. This technology could enhance the resilience and flexibility of forces in contested environments, allowing commanders to deploy assets more effectively without endangering pilots. The ability for a ground-based soldier to command an aircraft like a large, highly capable drone opens up new tactical possibilities and addresses long-standing challenges in military logistics and personnel recovery.
The Northern Strike Demonstration: Pushing the Boundaries of Autonomy
The Northern Strike 25-2 exercise served as the stage for several groundbreaking achievements in autonomous flight. The central figure, a U.S. Army Sergeant First Class, became the first soldier to take full command of the OPV Black Hawk, directing its every move through an intuitive handheld tablet. This marked a critical departure from previous tests, which were typically overseen by highly trained test pilots or engineers. The soldier’s ability to quickly grasp the system and execute missions underscores the user-centric design of the MATRIX interface, which abstracts the complexities of flight into simple, actionable commands.
From Tablet to Takeoff: A Soldier in Command
The missions conducted were not simple flight patterns. In one scenario, the soldier, positioned on a U.S. Coast Guard boat in Lake Huron, planned and launched a resupply mission to a location 70 nautical miles away. From this remote position, he commanded the autonomous Black Hawk to perform precision parachute drops at varying altitudes over the lake. This exercise demonstrated the system’s capacity for long-range, remotely operated logistics, a critical capability for dispersed military forces.
The Training required for the soldier to achieve this was remarkably brief. In under an hour, he was equipped with the skills needed to operate the sophisticated aircraft. This rapid learning curve is a testament to the MATRIX system’s design philosophy, which aims to make advanced aviation accessible to operators, not just pilots. The system handles the intricate details of flight control, allowing the soldier to focus on the mission objectives, what to move, where to move it, and when.
Throughout the exercises, the OPV Black Hawk performed a variety of cargo delivery methods, including internal transport, external sling loads, and the aforementioned parachute drops. For safety and regulatory compliance within U.S. airspace, a safety pilot was present in the cockpit during all flights, but the aircraft’s actions were dictated by the soldier on the ground. This setup allowed for a robust and safe evaluation of the technology’s readiness for real-world application.
“The level of autonomy that the team has with the MATRIX technology and how that’s put into the [OPV] aircraft, it really takes an operator, not a pilot.” – Ramsey Bentley, Sikorsky Advanced Programs Business Development Director
A Series of Firsts in Autonomous Flight
The Northern Strike demonstration was notable for a series of “firsts” that pushed the envelope of autonomous aviation. One of the most impressive feats was the first-ever autonomous hookup of an external sling load while the aircraft was airborne. The OPV Black Hawk demonstrated exceptional stability, holding a precise hover that allowed soldiers on the ground to quickly attach a 2,900-pound water tank, colloquially known as a “water buffalo.” This capability is crucial, as sling load operations are notoriously demanding for human pilots, requiring immense concentration and skill to maintain a stable hover, especially in challenging wind conditions.
Another significant first was the execution of an autonomous medical evacuation (MEDEVAC) mission commanded by the soldier from within the aircraft. In this simulation, the OPV Black Hawk was used for a personnel recovery, culminating in a tail-to-tail patient transfer to a traditionally piloted Black Hawk at an unprepared landing site. This scenario highlights the potential for autonomous systems to perform high-stakes rescue missions in dangerous environments, getting casualties to care faster and with less risk to recovery crews.
The aircraft also demonstrated its utility in supporting ground artillery units by transporting HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) launch tubes via six separate autonomous hovering hookups. Each of these achievements, taken together, paints a clear picture of a mature and versatile technology. The feedback gathered from these real-world exercises is invaluable, allowing engineers to refine the MATRIX Software in a continuous improvement cycle, as noted by Mike Baran, Chief Engineer at Sikorsky Innovations.
The Future of Military Operations and Beyond
The successful integration of the MATRIX technology into the Black Hawk platform at Northern Strike is more than just a technical achievement; it signals a strategic evolution in military logistics and aviation. The concept of an “optionally piloted” vehicle provides commanders with unprecedented flexibility. A single airframe can perform missions with a full crew, with a reduced crew aided by an AI co-pilot, or completely unmanned, depending on the nature of the mission and the level of risk involved. This adaptability is essential for maintaining operational superiority in complex and contested environments.
Looking ahead, Sikorsky is already proposing a fully uncrewed version of the Black Hawk, dubbed the “U-Hawk.” This initiative could provide a cost-effective pathway to fielding a fleet of autonomous Cargo-Aircraft by converting older UH-60L models that the U.S. Army is phasing out of service. Furthermore, the applications for this technology are not confined to the military. Sikorsky has already demonstrated the OPV Black Hawk’s potential for civilian use, including autonomous wildfire suppression. The U.S. Marine Corps is also slated to test the MATRIX system, evaluating its use for resupply missions from sea to shore, further expanding its operational portfolio.
“With lives on the line, Sikorsky’s MATRIX flight autonomy system can transform how military operators perform their missions. In contested logistics situations, a Black Hawk operating as a large drone offers commanders greater resilience and flexibility to get resources to the point of need.” – Rich Benton, Vice President and General Manager of Sikorsky
Conclusion: A New Paradigm for Air Power
The demonstration at Northern Strike 25-2 represents a confirmed step toward a future where the power of military aviation is not limited to the select few trained as pilots. By empowering a soldier to command a Black Hawk with a tablet, the program has validated a new operational paradigm. This technology promises to make military operations safer, more efficient, and more flexible, allowing forces to project power and deliver supplies in environments that were previously inaccessible or too dangerous for crewed aircraft. The ability to reduce human workload and risk while expanding mission capabilities is a transformative combination.
As the MATRIX technology continues to mature, we can expect to see its integration across a wider range of aircraft and missions, both military and civilian. The spiral development model, which incorporates direct user feedback from events like Northern Strike, ensures that the system will evolve to meet the practical needs of its operators. The journey from a pilot-operated helicopter to a soldier-commanded autonomous asset is well underway, heralding a new era of intelligent, adaptable, and accessible air power.
FAQ
Question: What is the MATRIX™ Technology?
Answer: MATRIX™ is a flight autonomy system developed by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company. It is designed to be integrated into aircraft to allow for various levels of autonomous flight, from serving as a virtual co-pilot to enabling fully unmanned operations. It is a core part of DARPA’s ALIAS program.
Question: Was the Black Hawk completely empty during the autonomous flights?
Answer: No. For Safety and regulatory reasons, a safety pilot was on board the Optionally Piloted Black Hawk (OPV) during all flights conducted in the exercise. However, the mission planning and execution were fully controlled by the soldier using a tablet.
Question: What makes this demonstration significant?
Answer: This was the first time a soldier who was not a trained aviator independently planned, commanded, and executed missions with the autonomous Black Hawk. With less than an hour of training, the soldier performed complex tasks like long-range resupply, autonomous sling load hookups, and a simulated MEDEVAC, proving the system’s accessibility and operational readiness.
Sources
Photo Credit: Lockheed Martin
Defense & Military
BAE Systems Unveils Brontanax UK Autonomous Combat Aircraft
BAE Systems and the UK MoD unveiled Brontanax, the UK’s first uncrewed CCA, at Farnborough 2026.
BAE Systems and the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MoD) unveiled Brontanax, the nation’s first uncrewed autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 22, 2026. The five-metric-ton aircraft is designed to operate alongside crewed fighter jets, providing electronic warfare and precision strike capabilities to the fleet.
According to a BAE Systems press release, the platform serves as the manufacturers offering for the UK government’s £300 million Storm Fighter program. The initiative aims to establish the Royal Air Force (RAF) as Europe’s first sixth-generation air force by integrating uncrewed systems with existing crewed fighters like the Eurofighter Typhoon and the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II.
The Storm Fighter program and development timeline
Development of the Brontanax platform began internally at BAE Systems in 2022. The manufacturer has invested approximately £300 million to date to fund the project. The UK government formalized its financial backing on July 1, 2026, through its Defence Investment Plan, committing an initial £300 million to the sovereign autonomous combat air initiative.
UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted the strategic importance of the platform during the unveiling event at Farnborough, noting the government’s intent to adopt the aircraft as an operational concept demonstrator.
“The unveiling of Brontanax, the UK’s first uncrewed autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft, is a testament to the extraordinary talent and innovation across our sovereign defence industry. Built at BAE Systems in Warton by British engineers, backed by British businesses large and small, this aircraft demonstrates that the UK has the skills, the technology and the determination to lead the world in combat air power.”
The prototype is scheduled for its first power-up in the third quarter of 2026. Ground trials are slated to begin in the first half of 2027, followed by flight trials in UK airspace in the second half of the year. The RAF plans to bring the aircraft into service before 2030.
Industrial footprint and supply chain realities
The Brontanax program currently involves more than 500 BAE Systems employees and engages over 75 UK companies and small-to-medium enterprises. The aircraft was designed and built at the BAE Systems facility in Warton, Lancashire.
While marketed as a sovereign British aircraft, the initial iterations of the drone utilize a US-made Williams International engine. BAE Systems and the RAF intend to transition to a British powerplant developed by Rolls-Royce for future production models.
Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth, Chief of the Air Staff, stated that the RAF is working closely with the manufacturer to meet the aggressive development schedule, confirming that a prototype is expected to fly next year.
AirPro News analysis
The unveiling of Brontanax signals the United Kingdom’s formal entry into the highly competitive CCA market. We are seeing a global surge in the development of these uncrewed systems, with aerospace manufacturers including Airbus, Boeing, Anduril, and General Atomics competing for contracts across multiple allied nations.
The primary driver behind this shift is combat mass. Traditional crewed fighters are highly capable but expensive to procure and operate. A large CCA is estimated to cost approximately 25 percent of a traditional crewed fighter. By pairing uncrewed systems with crewed jets, air forces can significantly expand their tactical footprint, sensor networks, and weapons capacity without a proportional increase in procurement budgets or pilot training requirements. The transition from the Williams International engine to a Rolls-Royce powerplant will be a critical milestone to watch as the UK attempts to secure a fully sovereign supply-chain for the Storm Fighter program.
Sources: BAE Systems Press Release
Photo Credit: BAE Systems
Defense & Military
GE Aerospace and Shield AI Complete X-BAT Engine Test
GE Aerospace and Shield AI complete AVEN thrust-vectoring nozzle testing on the F110-GE-129E, keeping X-BAT on track for late 2026 first flight.
GE Aerospace and Shield AI have successfully completed integration, actuation, and engine light-off testing of a multi-axis thrust-vectoring nozzle on an F110-GE-129E engine, clearing a major propulsion hurdle for the X-BAT vertical take-off and landing combat aircraft.
Announced in a July 20, 2026, press release, the testing took place at GE Aerospace’s operations site in Peebles, Ohio. The campaign represents the first fully integrated test of the Axisymmetric Vectoring Exhaust Nozzle (AVEN) hardware and control systems since its original development in the 1990s. The successful light-off keeps the X-BAT program on schedule for a planned first flight in late 2026.
Resurrecting thrust vectoring for vertical flight
The AVEN system pivots engine exhaust in three dimensions, providing the precise directional control required for the aircraft to balance on its tailpipe during vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) maneuvers. Originally designed in the 1990s, the AVEN program accumulated 73 hours of ground testing and 135 flight hours across 95 flights on an experimental F-16 before being shelved.
Shield AI and GE Aerospace are now adapting that legacy hardware to meet the demands of modern autonomous flight. The integration requires the nozzle to execute rapid, coordinated movement sequences driven by Shield AI’s flight control software.
“The AVEN is what makes vertical flight possible on a platform this size and this capable. We’re applying it differently than it was ever used before. Vertical flight requires fast gimbaling to maintain attitude control, a demand the original program never had to meet,” said Armor Harris, Senior Vice President of Aircraft Engineering at Shield AI.
Harris noted that utilizing hardware with a proven track record allowed the engineering teams to bypass the initial stages of clean-sheet development. The next phase of the program will focus on iterating the propulsion approach to reduce weight and increase speed for future variants.
Scaling the X-BAT for contested environments
Shield AI unveiled the X-BAT in Washington, D.C., on October 21, 2025. The aircraft is designed as a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) capable of operating independently or as a drone wingman in contested airspace. By November 5, 2025, Shield AI and GE Aerospace had signed a Memorandum of Understanding to collaborate on the platform’s propulsion, selecting the F110-GE-129 engine paired with the AVEN system.
The aircraft relies on Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy software to conduct missions without traditional runway infrastructure. According to reporting by Tectonic Defense, the X-BAT measures 26 feet in length and features a 39-foot wingspan. Naval News estimates the platform will achieve a range exceeding 2,000 nautical miles and an operational ceiling of 50,000 feet, positioning it for both austere land bases and potential naval integration.
Amy Gowder, President and CEO of Defense & Systems at GE Aerospace, stated that pairing the company’s propulsion scaling experience with Shield AI’s vehicle development allows the program to move rapidly from concept to fielded capability.
AirPro News analysis
We view the successful light-off of the AVEN-equipped F110 as a validation of Shield AI’s strategy to integrate mature subsystems rather than developing bespoke hardware. The GE Aerospace F110 engine family has accumulated 11 million flight hours. By pairing a highly reliable, mass-produced core engine with a previously flight-tested 3D vectoring nozzle, the X-BAT program significantly reduces its technical risk profile.
The primary challenge moving forward will be software integration. While the AVEN hardware is proven, the 1990s-era actuators were not designed for the continuous, high-frequency gimbaling required to stabilize a tail-sitting VTOL aircraft in turbulent conditions. Shield AI’s Hivemind system will need to manage these actuation limits carefully to prevent mechanical fatigue while maintaining attitude control during the critical transition between vertical and forward flight.
Sources: GE Aerospace
Photo Credit: GE Aerospace
Defense & Military
Pratt Whitney Completes 3D-Printed TJ150 Turbojet Demo Test
Pratt & Whitney validates additive manufacturing for the TJ150, consolidating 50+ hot section parts into 3D-printed components.
Pratt & Whitney has successfully completed demonstration testing of an additively manufactured TJ150 turbojet engine, a process that consolidated more than 50 individual hot section components into a small number of 3D-printed parts.
The RTX Corporation subsidiary announced the milestone on July 20, 2026, during the Farnborough International Airshow in London. The test results validate the manufacturer’s strategy to use additive manufacturing to simplify design and accelerate production for expendable military propulsion systems.
Consolidating hot section components
According to the press release, nearly 60 percent of the TJ150 engine’s volume was produced using additive manufacturing. This volume includes major static and rotating hardware. By utilizing 3D printing technologies, engineers reduced the complexity of the engine’s hot section and replaced over 50 traditional parts with a handful of consolidated components.
The TJ150 is a 150-pound thrust class turbojet designed for single-use applications.
“For expendable engines like the TJ150, where missions can last minutes or hours, simplifying the design and scaling production quickly is essential to meeting rising demand,” said Jill Albertelli, President of Military Engines at Pratt & Whitney.
Integration with cruise missiles and decoys
The successful demonstration of the 3D-printed TJ150 follows recent contract awards and integration announcements for the engine platform. On March 10, 2026, Pratt & Whitney secured a follow-on contract from Leidos Dynetics to supply TJ150 engines for the AGM-190A small cruise missile.
In a separate announcement on July 15, 2026, Raytheon confirmed plans to prioritize the TJ150 engine for the initial production of the Miniature Air-Launched Decoy (MALD). Raytheon noted that utilizing the existing engine platform keeps restart timelines short while the company explores additively manufactured engines for longer-term opportunities.
Expanding additive manufacturing applications
Pratt & Whitney plans to apply the manufacturing techniques validated during the TJ150 demonstration to other propulsion programs. Albertelli stated that additive manufacturing helps the company move designs from concept to capability faster. She confirmed that the manufacturer is leveraging the TJ150 learnings to benefit other systems, including the Pratt & Whitney Valox engine family.
AirPro News analysis
The successful test of a heavily 3D-printed TJ150 highlights a critical shift in defense aerospace manufacturing. As military operators demand higher volumes of autonomous systems, decoys, and tactical missiles, traditional supply chains for small turbine engines face significant bottlenecks. Casting and machining conventional hot-section components requires extensive tooling and long lead times. By consolidating dozens of parts into a few additively manufactured pieces, we see manufacturers directly addressing the need for rapid scalability.
Expendable engines operate for very short durations, meaning they do not require the same long-term durability as commercial or manned military turbofans. This specific operational profile makes them ideal candidates for additive manufacturing, allowing producers to prioritize production speed and cost reduction over thousands of hours of time-on-wing reliability.
Photo Credit: RTX
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries2 days agoPhilippine Airlines Orders Up to 20 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners
-
Defense & Military1 day agoGE Aerospace and Magellan Sign F414 MRO MOU for Canada
-
Defense & Military2 days agoBombardier Defense Signs 10-Year Support Deal With Sweden
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries2 days agoRiyadh Air Orders 31 A350-1000s and 67 Boeing 787s
-
Aircraft Orders & Deliveries2 days agoAerCap Orders 15 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners at Farnborough 2026