MATRIX™ Technology

Sikorsky MATRIX™ technology could one day enable utility helicopters to resupply forward forces on the future battlefield without any human pilots or crew on board.

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) successfully demonstrated this logistics/resupply capability to the U.S. Army in October 2022 using an optionally piloted Black Hawk helicopter.

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MATRIX technology forms the core of DARPA’s ALIAS (Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System) project, an ongoing partnership between Sikorsky and DARPA. The autonomy project is designed to exponentially improve flight safety, reliability and efficiency of both rotary and fixed wing aircraft.

As the enabling technology for optionally piloted flight, MATRIX technology enables rotary and fixed-wing aircraft to be flown with or without humans on board, depending on the mission.

The technology combines software and hardware components to enable autonomous flight in obstacle-rich environments. This creates a safer flying experience overall for both military and commercial customers. Sikorsky’s work in autonomy technology spans several aircraft and focus areas.
Executes complex missions in low altitude, obstacle-rich environments or in degraded, uncertain conditions

Executes complex missions in low altitude, obstacle-rich environments or in degraded, uncertain conditions
Improves system reliability through multi-level contingency management

Improves system reliability through multi-level contingency management
Reduces lifecycle cost and operating cost per flight hour

Reduces lifecycle cost and operating cost per flight hour
Platform agnostic design supports multiple vehicles enabling mission tailoring

Platform agnostic design supports multiple vehicles enabling mission tailoring

Safe, Reliable, and Uninhabited: First Autonomous BLACK HAWK® Helicopter Flight

Sitting on the runway in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, one of Sikorsky’s pilots in an S-70™ BLACK HAWK® helicopter flips the optionally piloted cockpit switch from two to zero, exits the aircraft and walks across the runway.

Moments later, the Model A BLACK HAWK aircraft, identifiable by DARPA’s logo and tail number N60-OPV, completes a pre-flight check list, starts its engines, spins up its rotors and takes off with no crew onboard. All of it happens fully autonomously. 

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Safe, Reliable, and Uninhabited: First Autonomous BLACK HAWK® Helicopter Flight

 

SIKORSKY AUTONOMY RESEARCH AIRCRAFT (SARA)

 

MATRIX and SARA

Sikorsky Autonomy Research Aircraft (SARA) is a modified S-76B helicopter that Sikorsky has converted into a flying lab.

Using SARA, Sikorsky continues to test and improve MATRIX™ technology for optionally piloted flight, as well as technologies for commercial applications, such as firefighting, cargo and urban air mobility.

SARA can perform full-authority flight control inputs for autonomous flight — including takeoff, route planning, obstacle avoidance, site selection and landing. Sensors give SARA a 3D understanding of its environment in real time.

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Stay Informed: The Latest News On MATRIX™ Technology   ___
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Oct 17, 2024
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How do you command a Black Hawk® helicopter to perform a mission autonomously from 300 miles (480 km) away? Quite simply, by using a tablet connected to the aircraft via datalink.
Contacts   ___
Media Contact

Melissa Chadwick
+1 (202) 863-3317
melissa.a.chadwick@lmco.com
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