Black Hawk begins ground runs with improved engines

Sikorsky has successfully completed the first ground runs of the UH-60M Black Hawk fitted with the GE Aerospace T901 improved turbine engine (ITE), according to a 29th of January press release from Lockheed Martin. 

Light off and ground runs were conducted by a combination of US Army and Sikorsky pilots and start-to-fly progression tests were also successfully performed. Ground runs are used to test the engines and systems of an aircraft without it taking off. These Black Hawk tests covered the operation of the system, including engine ignition and the engagement of the main rotor system. The test team confirmed that all systems – fuel, electrical, hydraulic and flight control – performed as expected.

Following this, the UH-60M Black Hawk is expected to advance to hover and forward flight tests before attempting the first flight test of the T901-equipped Black Hawk by the end of 2025.

Hamid Salim, the vice president of Army and Air Force Systems at Sikorsky, stated that a modernised UH-60M would “create new operational opportunities” by “extending the capabilities of a proven, fielded fleet to travel farther on less fuel and with more troops and cargo.”

Programme overview: Black Hawk and the ITE

The current operational variant of the UH-60M Black Hawk is equipped with twin GE T700 power turbo engines. The modified UH-60M, which is under development, is instead fitted with 2 GE Aerospace T901 improved turbine engines (ITE). This modification is expected to increase the UH-60M’s power output by 50% and boost fuel efficiency.

Additional modifications include a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA); Sikorsky has developed an initial version of a scalable digital backbone kit, including the benefits of MOSA, such as faster integration and improved productivity without the traditional cost of redesigning the helicopter.

The modified UH-60M will also be able to carry and manage Launched Effects drones in swarms to gather and relay intelligence in contested environments. However, one drawback to the drone’s capability is their limited range, hence the need for a forward-deployed helicopter to launch and control them. Funded under Phase 1 of the Launched Effects program through an Other Transaction Agreement by the US Army Project Director Sensors-Aerial Intelligence, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman are competing for the overall contract, totalling $37 million.

Furthermore, the UH-60M is expected to have integrated autonomous capabilities to enhance safety, enabling pilots to focus on the primary mission and enabling unpiloted resupply and logistics missions through MATRIX technology, currently under development. MATRIX is the foundation of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)’s ALIAS (Aircrew Labour In-cockpit Automation System) project, a collaborative effort between Sikorsky and DARPA to improve flight safety, reliability, and aircraft efficiency. Currently, the system can enable a Black Hawk to perform a mission autonomously with commands issued in real-time remotely from 480 km away.

Recent developments in MATRIX development include Sikorsky being selected by the US Marine Corps to demonstrate the capability of MATRIX using the UH-60 Black Hawk to the Aerial Logistics Connector Program. The demonstrations are funded under Phase 1 of the Aerial Logistics Connector agreement through an Other Transaction Agreement under the Naval Aviation Systems Consortium by the Naval Air Systems Command.

Calibre Comment:

Sikorsky is responsible for the production of over 5,000 Black Hawk aircraft for 36 nations, it was contracted to manufacture 84 Black Hawk variants for export in 2024.  so the successful development of a modernised UH-60M may create additional export opportunities for Sikorsky. 

By Austin Haywood, published on 5th February 2025.