Helicopter manufacturer Sikorsky plans to build and fly a pilotless version of its famous UH-60 Black Hawk design, it has emerged.

With unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) like the Predator and Reaper having been introduced into the United States Air Force’s inventory in recent years, with drone training increasing in frequency, and with UAVs having been deployed to areas like Afghanistan - the advent of a new breed of drone helicopters could give the US armed forces a brand new capability.

Sikorsky is set to unveil its new drone Black Hawk later on in 2010, with a view to having it enter service five years later.

Speaking to the media, a representative for the firm stressed that the helicopter would complement existing Black Hawks, rather than take over from them.

Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk

The Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk has now served the US Army for over 30 years, and also equips the air forces of Austria, Brazil, Japan and Mexico, to name but four. A highly successful design, over 2,000 have been built and – as a general utility helicopter – the Blackhawk is capable of carrying loads including troops, light armoured vehicles or stretchers.

In Afghanistan, the Black Hawk has proved itself a ubiquitous workhorse and, within popular culture, the type has gained notoriety thanks to the book (and film) Black Hawk Down.

New Unmanned Helicopter

On operations, the new Black Hawk’s crew contingent would be multi-changeable. It could consist of a pair of pilots, a single pilot, or be able to fly itself fully autonomously – meaning a potential drop in the loss of human life caused by weapons like Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and from ground-fire.

The unmanned helicopter – Sikorsky Innovations director, Chris Van Buiten, said – would be suitable for deployment “when the mission is really dull or dangerous”.

A number of US Army Black Hawk crashes occurred in Iraq from 2003 to 2007. In all, 51 US military service personnel were killed.

One major issue for Sikorsky – analysts have said – will be replicating the technology used within UAVs like Predator in the Black Hawk, which is a much heavier design. “The new thing here is to apply technologies in small airplanes and rotorcraft to the 20,000 pound Black Hawk”, Van Buiten explained, adding: “It ups the stakes.”

See also:

New USAF Stealth UAV Announced