This article is based on an official press release from Skyryse.

Skyryse Completes Historic First Flight of Black Hawk Helicopters with SkyOS

On December 22, 2025, California-based aviation technology company Skyryse successfully completed the first flight of a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter equipped with its universal flight operating system, SkyOS. The flight, conducted at the company’s headquarters in El Segundo, marks a significant milestone in the modernization of legacy rotary-wing aircraft.

According to the company’s announcement, the flight demonstrated the ability to retrofit a military-grade utility helicopter with simplified, fly-by-wire automation in just 91 days. The modified aircraft replaces the complex array of traditional mechanical controls, such as the cyclic, collective, and anti-torque pedals, with a single four-axis control stick and a touchscreen interface.

Skyryse aims to use this technology to standardize flight controls across different airframes, potentially reducing pilot workload and training requirements while enhancing Safety through automated envelope protection.

Redefining the Cockpit Interface

The core of this achievement is the integration of SkyOS, which Skyryse describes as the “world’s first universal operating system for flight.” In the demonstration flight, Skyryse Test Pilot Eric Stierna utilized the system to perform automated takeoff, hover, and landing maneuvers.

The company reports that the traditional mechanical linkages inside the Black Hawk were removed and replaced with a triply-redundant fly-by-wire system. This architecture is designed to meet “10^-9” (one in a billion) failure probability standards, ensuring high reliability. The new interface allows pilots to execute critical phases of flight, such as lifting off or setting down, with simple “swipe” gestures on a touchscreen.

“I swiped my finger and climbed into a completely stable hover… I swiped again and descended into a perfect setdown.”

, Eric Stierna, Skyryse Test Pilot

By utilizing a single four-axis stick, the system manages the complex mixing of flight controls automatically. This contrasts sharply with traditional helicopter operation, which requires the pilot to coordinate four limbs simultaneously to maintain stability.

Strategic Implications for Defense and Civil Aviation

The rapid integration timeline, completed in roughly three months, suggests a scalable model for upgrading existing fleets. Skyryse has established a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army to evaluate the technology for its fleet of over 2,400 Black Hawks.

The technology transforms the Black Hawk into an “optionally piloted” vehicle (OPV). According to Skyryse, this capability allows the Army to conduct missions with a traditional crew, a single pilot, or zero pilots for high-risk scenarios such as resupply or extraction in contested environments.

AirPro News Analysis

The successful demonstration of SkyOS on a heavy-lift Military-Aircraft platform like the Black Hawk represents a potential paradigm shift for fleet modernization. Traditionally, achieving fly-by-wire capabilities and high-level autonomy required purchasing entirely new airframes, a process that takes decades and billions of dollars in procurement.

If Skyryse can validate the safety and reliability of its 91-day retrofit cycle at scale, it offers defense operators a cost-effective alternative: upgrading legacy airframes to near-peer technological status with modern platforms. Furthermore, the simplification of controls could drastically lower the cost and duration of rotary-wing pilot training, addressing ongoing personnel shortages in both military and commercial sectors.

Commercial Partnerships and Safety Features

Beyond military applications, Skyryse is targeting the civil sector through a partnership with Ace Aeronautics, a major reseller and upgrader of Black Hawk helicopters. The collaboration aims to offer SkyOS-equipped aircraft for global markets, including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, and humanitarian aid.

A key feature of the system is “Dynamic Envelope Protection.” SkyOS continuously monitors flight parameters to prevent the aircraft from entering unsafe states, such as stalling or entering a vortex ring state, common causes of fatal accidents in traditional helicopters. Mark Groden, CEO and Founder of Skyryse, emphasized the transformative nature of the technology in the company’s press statement.

“The Black Hawk is one of the most proven, versatile aircraft in history… Black Hawk with SkyOS is a fundamentally different aircraft in its capabilities, flexibility, and safety.”

, Mark Groden, CEO of Skyryse

Founded in 2016, Skyryse has raised over $290 million from Investments including Fidelity, Venrock, and Bill Ford. The company previously achieved the first automated autorotation in a helicopter and is currently pursuing Certification for “Skyryse One,” a modified Robinson R66 utilizing the same underlying technology.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is SkyOS?

SkyOS is a universal flight operating system designed to be aircraft-agnostic. It replaces complex mechanical flight controls with a simplified fly-by-wire interface, using a single stick and touchscreens to control the aircraft.

Is the SkyOS Black Hawk fully autonomous?

The system enables the aircraft to be “optionally piloted.” It can be flown by a human pilot using simplified controls, or it can operate autonomously (zero pilots) for specific missions, depending on the configuration and requirements.

How long did the retrofit take?

Skyryse reported that the retrofit of the Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk was completed in 91 days.

Sources: Skyryse Official Press Release

This article summarizes reporting by Reuters.

Lockheed Martin C-130J Contract Ceiling Raised to $25 Billion Amid Surge in Allied Demand

The United States government has authorized a significant expansion of its logistical Military-Aircraft agreement with Lockheed Martin, increasing the cumulative value of an existing contract by $10 billion. As reported by Reuters, the modification raises the total Contracts ceiling from $15 billion to $25 billion, securing long-term production and engineering support for the C-130J Super Hercules program.

The announcement was issued on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, by the Department of War, the agency formerly known as the Department of Defense, recently rebranded under a new executive directive. The contract modification ensures that Lockheed Martin’s Aeronautics division in Marietta, Georgia, will continue to deliver, develop, and sustain the C-130J platform through July 2035.

According to official contract data, this is not a single purchase order but an administrative expansion of an Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) vehicle originally awarded in 2020. The adjustment accommodates a growing backlog of international orders from key allies in the Indo-Pacific and Europe.

Contract Specifications and Scope

The modification, identified as P00014 to contract FA8625-20-D-3000, reflects the enduring relevance of the C-130J airframe in modern military logistics. The Department of War stated that the work will encompass the “delivery, development, integration, and engineering” of the aircraft.

Key details of the agreement include:

• Contractor: Lockheed Martin Corp., Marietta, Georgia.
• New Ceiling Value: $25 billion (up from $15 billion).
• Completion Date: July 16, 2035.
• Primary Function: Tactical airlift production and sustainment.

While the Reuters report highlighted the top-line financial increase, further analysis of the contract vehicle reveals that this funding ceiling supports Foreign Military Sales (FMS). The Pentagon noted “known congressional interest” in the deal, likely due to the scale of the modification and the strategic importance of the allied nations involved.

Global Demand Drives Production

The $10 billion increase is largely driven by a surge in demand from international partners seeking to modernize their airlift capabilities. As geopolitical tensions rise in both the Indo-Pacific and the Arctic, nations are standardizing on the C-130J to ensure interoperability with U.S. forces.

Indo-Pacific Deterrence

Australia has emerged as a primary driver of this backlog. In 2023, the Australian Department of Defence committed approximately $9.8 billion to expand its fleet from 12 to 20 C-130J aircraft. This acquisition is designed to bolster logistics chains across the vast distances of the Pacific. Similarly, New Zealand has begun taking Delivery of new Super Hercules aircraft to replace its aging C-130H fleet, and the Philippines is modernizing its airlift capacity to support maritime security in the South China Sea.

European Modernization

In Europe, the focus remains on interoperability and Arctic readiness. Norway is upgrading its fleet to the Block 8.1 standard, which enhances navigation and communication systems for operations in the High North. Meanwhile, Germany and France have operationalized a unique joint C-130J squadron based in Évreux, France, sharing costs and maintenance burdens to fill the gap left by the retired C-160 Transall.

Strategic Context and Market Impact

This contract announcement comes during a period of significant administrative change within the U.S. government. The release was issued under the header of the “Department of War,” reflecting a 2025 executive order that reverted the agency’s name to its pre-1947 moniker. Secretary Pete Hegseth has championed this rebranding as part of a broader initiative to “refocus on warfighting.”

Despite the magnitude of the contract, market reaction was muted. Lockheed Martin stock (NYSE: LMT) closed slightly down (-0.21%) on the day of the announcement. Market analysts have largely maintained a “Hold” rating on the defense giant, balancing the long-term revenue security of the C-130J program against concerns over high valuation multiples in the defense sector.

AirPro News Analysis

The decision to raise the contract ceiling by such a drastic margin, $10 billion, signals that the U.S. government expects the C-130J to remain the global standard for tactical airlift well into the 2040s. While next-generation vertical lift platforms are in development, they have yet to match the payload-range economics of the Super Hercules.

For the workforce in Marietta, Georgia, this modification provides a decade of stability. However, the explicit mention of “congressional interest” suggests that lawmakers are closely watching how the newly rebranded Department of War manages these mega-contracts. The shift in terminology to “War” is more than cosmetic; it aligns with a more aggressive posture in foreign military sales, prioritizing speed of delivery to allies over traditional bureaucratic hurdles.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an IDIQ contract?
Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (IDIQ) contracts provide for an indefinite quantity of services or supplies during a fixed period. They allow the government to place orders as needed without negotiating a new contract each time. The $25 billion figure represents the maximum value (ceiling) of orders that can be placed, not a guaranteed payout.

Why is the agency referred to as the Department of War?
In the timeline of this report (December 2025), the Trump administration issued an executive order reverting the Department of Defense to its original name, the Department of War, to emphasize a shift in military philosophy.

Which countries are buying these aircraft?
The primary international customers driving this contract increase include Australia, Germany, Norway, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Egypt.

Sources

• Reuters
• U.S. Department of War (Contracts Dec. 23, 2025)
• Australian Department of Defence

This article summarizes reporting by Reuters and contract data from the U.S. Department of Defense.

Boeing Secures $2.04 Billion Contract for B-52 Engine Integration

The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded Boeing a significant task order valued at approximately $2.04 billion to advance the modernization of the B-52 Stratofortress fleet. According to reporting by Reuters and official Pentagon announcements released on Tuesday, December 23, this funding is dedicated to the B-52 Commercial Engine Replacement Program (CERP), a critical effort to keep the Cold War-era bombers flying into the 2050s.

The contract specifically covers the “Post-Critical Design Review” phase of development. While Rolls-Royce is supplying the new F130 engines under a separate agreement, Boeing, as the prime integrator, is tasked with the complex engineering required to install modern propulsion systems onto the vintage airframes. This award marks a pivotal step in redesignating the fleet as the B-52J.

Contract Scope and Timeline

According to data released by the Pentagon, this cost-plus-incentive-fee contract funds the design, development, and execution of the engine integration. Work will be performed across multiple Boeing facilities, including Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; San Antonio, Texas; Seattle, Washington; and Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Department of Defense expects this phase of the work to be completed by May 31, 2033. The funding structure is incremental, beginning with approximately $35.8 million in fiscal year 2026 research, development, test, and evaluation funds.

Integration vs. Supply

It is vital to distinguish between the engine supplier and the integrator in this multi-billion dollar modernization effort. Rolls-Royce secured a $2.6 billion contract in 2021 to manufacture 608 F130 engines. However, Boeing’s role, funded by this new $2.04 billion award, involves the structural and digital modifications necessary to accept those engines.

The scope of work includes:

• Nacelle Design: Developing new aerodynamic pods and struts to mount the engines.
• System Overhaul: Upgrading electrical power generation and cockpit displays to process digital engine data.
• Prototyping: Modifying and flight-testing two B-52 Military-Aircraft to validate the new configuration before fleet-wide installation.

Strategic Implications: The B-52J

The Commercial Engine Replacement Program is the centerpiece of the Air Force’s strategy to maintain a “two-bomber” force structure, consisting of the stealth B-21 Raider and the standoff B-52J. By replacing the original 1960s-era Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines, the Air Force aims to achieve 30% greater fuel efficiency and significantly reduce maintenance costs.

According to Air Force Global Strike Command leadership, the upgraded bomber will serve a distinct role alongside the stealthy B-21.

“The B-52J will not be your grandfather’s B-52. With new engines, new radar, and new digital Avionics, it will be a lethal, long-range arsenal plane.”

, Summary of remarks by Air Force Global Strike Command officials

AirPro News Analysis

While this contract award signals a firm commitment to the B-52’s future, the timeline reveals the challenges inherent in retrofitting 70-year-old airframes. The completion date of May 2033 for this development phase aligns with recent reports of schedule slips. Originally, the Air Force targeted an earlier Initial Operational Capability (IOC), but technical hurdles regarding the engine inlet design and aerodynamic integration have necessitated a more cautious timeline.

We observe that the shift to 2033 for the completion of this specific integration phase suggests that the full fleet conversion will be a slow process, requiring the legacy TF33 engines to remain in service longer than initially planned. This places additional pressure on Air Force maintainers to keep the aging engines operational until the transition to the B-52J is complete.

Sources

• Reuters
• U.S. Department of Defense