U.S. Soldier Becomes First to Plan and Execute Autonomous Black Hawk Missions using MATRIX Technology at Northern Strike 25-2
Optionally Piloted (OPV) Black Hawk helicopter
At Northern Strike, OPV Black Hawk demonstrated three types of cargo delivery, including internal carry, external sling load and precision parachute drop, as well as a MEDEVAC exercise.
Firsts in Flight
Exercise 1: Parachute Drops and Logistics Recovery
From a Coast Guard boat on Lake Huron, a soldier planned and executed a Class 1 resupply mission from 70 nautical miles away. After the cargo was unloaded, he used the tablet interface to direct the OPV Black Hawk in racetrack patterns over the lake while soldiers onboard completed two precision parachute drops at different altitudes. It was the first time the OPV Black Hawk performed precision logistics and airborne drops entirely under soldier control.
Exercise 2: Water Buffalo External Sling Load
OPV Black Hawk completed its first-ever autonomous hookup of an external load while airborne. Using its hover stability capabilities, the aircraft held position while soldiers quickly and efficiently attached a 2,900-pound water tank without pilot intervention. The demonstration showed that a MATRIX-equipped aircraft can perform complex aerial resupply missions in the field.
Exercise 3: HIMARS External Sling Load and MEDEVAC Recovery
OPV Black Hawk completed six autonomous hovering hookups to transport HIMARS launch tubes to an alternate landing zone. A soldier then used OPV Black Hawk to conduct a simulated personnel recovery, including a tail-to-tail patient transfer to a piloted Black Hawk at an unimproved landing site. This was the first time an untrained soldier commanded an autonomous MEDEVAC recovery from inside the OPV Black Hawk aircraft.
news.lockheedmartin.com
Optionally Piloted (OPV) Black Hawk helicopter
At Northern Strike, OPV Black Hawk demonstrated three types of cargo delivery, including internal carry, external sling load and precision parachute drop, as well as a MEDEVAC exercise.
Firsts in Flight
Exercise 1: Parachute Drops and Logistics Recovery
From a Coast Guard boat on Lake Huron, a soldier planned and executed a Class 1 resupply mission from 70 nautical miles away. After the cargo was unloaded, he used the tablet interface to direct the OPV Black Hawk in racetrack patterns over the lake while soldiers onboard completed two precision parachute drops at different altitudes. It was the first time the OPV Black Hawk performed precision logistics and airborne drops entirely under soldier control.
Exercise 2: Water Buffalo External Sling Load
OPV Black Hawk completed its first-ever autonomous hookup of an external load while airborne. Using its hover stability capabilities, the aircraft held position while soldiers quickly and efficiently attached a 2,900-pound water tank without pilot intervention. The demonstration showed that a MATRIX-equipped aircraft can perform complex aerial resupply missions in the field.
Exercise 3: HIMARS External Sling Load and MEDEVAC Recovery
OPV Black Hawk completed six autonomous hovering hookups to transport HIMARS launch tubes to an alternate landing zone. A soldier then used OPV Black Hawk to conduct a simulated personnel recovery, including a tail-to-tail patient transfer to a piloted Black Hawk at an unimproved landing site. This was the first time an untrained soldier commanded an autonomous MEDEVAC recovery from inside the OPV Black Hawk aircraft.
U.S. Soldier Becomes First to Plan and Execute Autonomous Black Hawk Missions using MATRIX™ Technology at Northern Strike 25-2
CAMP GRAYLING, Mich., October 30, 2025 — For the first time, a U.S. soldier—not a trained aviator—planned and executed real-world missions in military exercises with Lockheed Martin...
November 6-án a Cseh Köztársaság Belügyminisztériuma bejelentette, hogy megállapodást írt alá három, tűzoltási műveletekre alkalmas többcélú helikopter vásárlásáról.
A megállapodás értelmében Csehország három S-70M Black Hawk helikoptert kap, amelyeket a Polskie Zakłady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. szállít Mielecből.
zbiam.pl
A megállapodás értelmében Csehország három S-70M Black Hawk helikoptert kap, amelyeket a Polskie Zakłady Lotnicze Sp. z o.o. szállít Mielecből.
Republika Czeska kupuje mieleckie S-70M Black Hawk
6 listopada Ministerstwo Spraw Wewnętrznych Republiki Czeskiej poinformowało o podpisaniu umowy ze spółką Česká letecká servisní a.s w sprawie zakupu trzech wielozadaniowych śmigłowców, które są przystosowane do działań przeciwpożarowych.
zbiam.pl
Brazilian Army Receives First of 12 UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters...
news.lockheedmartin.com
Operated by 36 nations and validated through more than 15 million flight hours, the Black Hawk is the premier multi-role helicopter for missions worldwide.
Brazilian Army Receives First of 12 UH-60M Black Hawk Helicopters
SAO PAULO, BRAZIL – Dec. 16, 2025 – The Brazilian Army took delivery of its first UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter, initiating a 12-helicopter fleet upgrade that strengthens Brazil’s...