ALIAS

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Uncrewed helicopters using ALIAS-developed autonomy drop thousands of gallons of water to help extinguish wildfire.
Artist's concept: Uncrewed helicopters using ALIAS-developed autonomy drop thousands of gallons of water to help extinguish wildfire. Source: DARPA | Colie Wertz

The Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program completed a first-ever flight of a UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter without anyone onboard. 

Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, completed 30 minutes of uninhabited flight with the optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) over the U.S. Army installation at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, on Feb. 5, 2022. 

Funded by DARPA’s Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program, a UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter retrofitted with Sikorsky’s MATRIX autonomy technologies flew without anyone onboard for the first time in February 2022, over the U.S. Army installation at Fort Campbell, Ky. Source: Sikorsky Aircraft | Ted Carlson

Additional flights in October showed how existing and future piloted utility helicopters could one day fly complex missions in reduced crew or autonomous mode. This would give commanders and aviators greater flexibility in how and when aircraft and pilots are used, especially in limited visibility or contested environments.

Read about the ALIAS program

Sling load operations training.
U.S. Army Soldiers with the 5th Battalion, 113th Field Artillery Regiment conduct sling load operations training during Northern Strike 25-2 at Camp Grayling, Michigan, Aug. 10, 2025. Exercises like these allow units to practice rapidly transporting equipment and supplies by helicopter, enhancing mobility and sustainment in the field. Northern Strike is a National Guard Bureau-sponsored, multi-component, multinational exercise designed to build readiness and enhance interoperability with allied forces to fight and win. Northern Strike 25-2, Michigan’s largest and longest exercise designed to validate readiness of the joint reserve force, is held Aug. 2 to 16, 2025, at the National All-Domain War-fighting Center. This year's iteration will feature approximately 7,500 participants. | Download Source: U.S. Army | Sgt. Catherine Brooks
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