Sikorsky has started its first-ever ground runs with a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter equipped with two GE Aerospace T901 Improved Turbine Engines (ITE), parent company Lockheed Martin announced on 29 January 2025.
During the tests, which were executed by a combined US Army and industry test team and operated by army and Sikorsky pilots, the T901 engine demonstrated its capabilities through a series of rigorous procedures that verified system functionality, engine health and test setup for an efficient testing process.
The tests demonstrated the T901’s start-to-fly progression, including idle and fly modes, with the rotor brake disengaged, marking a significant step toward the programme’s goal of delivering a more powerful and efficient engine for the next-generation Black Hawk.
The start-to-fly progression tests the functionality of the entire system, from the engine start sequence to the engagement of the main rotor to enable lift-off. The test team verifies that all critical systems, including fuel, electrical, hydraulic, and flight control systems, are functioning as expected.
The successful ground tests set the stage for more advanced testing, such as hover and forward flight tests. The first flight of an ITE-equipped Black Hawk is anticipated at some point in 2025.
The T901 engine will increase the Black Hawk’s power by 50% while also improving fuel efficiency. It is a critical component of the roadmap to a modernised Black Hawk: a key part of Lockheed Martin’s ‘21st Century Security’ vision.
Sikorsky H-60M modernisation efforts continue to be primarily focused on the ITE, as well as a Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA)/digital backbone and launched effects.
Meanwhile, digital innovations, such as a new sustainment digital twin, will improve the aircraft’s safety and mission readiness while reducing costly downtime and unscheduled maintenance.
Sikorsky has also demonstrated initial autonomous flight capabilities with the UH-60M. On 14 October 2024 Lockheed Martin announced it had received a USD 6 million (EUR 5.5 million) award from the US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to install the company’s Matrix flight autonomy system onto the US Army’s experimental fly-by-wire UH-60M Black Hawk.
Designated MX, the upgraded Black Hawk will enable the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) to test and evaluate a wide range of autonomy capabilities, from single pilot operation to fully uncrewed flight. Sikorsky will integrate the Matrix system into the MX helicopter in 2025.
