The UH-60 Black Hawk is being transformed through advanced engines, digital upgrades, and unmanned teaming, ensuring it remains a vital combat and humanitarian asset for decades to come.

At the core of the Black Hawk’s modernization is the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) -- a digital backbone that standardizes software and hardware interfaces.

This framework allows new systems to be integrated faster and at lower cost, ensuring the helicopter keeps pace with rapidly evolving technology.

Instead of expensive fleet-wide retrofits, MOSA enables sensors, mission systems, and weapons to be upgraded step by step.

One of the first benefits of MOSA is the integration of "Launched Effects" -- small unmanned systems that the Black Hawk can carry, launch, and control.

These drones extend the helicopter’s reach in contested environments by gathering intelligence, acting as forward sensors, or providing defensive measures.

By teaming with these unmanned systems, the Black Hawk becomes a command-and-control hub in the sky, enhancing both survivability and lethality without exposing crews to unnecessary risk.

There are now more than 2,100 UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters in service worldwide.

Enhanced situational awareness

MOSA also lays the foundation for advanced autonomous flight capabilities.

Future upgrades to flight controls will introduce autonomy and artificial intelligence features designed to assist pilots in difficult conditions, making missions safer and more effective.

In the future, the Black Hawk could operate with a reduced crew or even conduct flights remotely when required.

Alongside autonomy, the modernization package brings advanced sensors that boost situational awareness in day, night, and degraded-visual conditions.

These sensors support critical missions such as search-and-rescue, casualty evacuation, disaster relief, and urban operations.

The Black Hawk’s ability to locate survivors and coordinate extractions reinforces its dual role as both a combat and humanitarian asset.

Configured for attack, the Black Hawk can carry up to 16 Hellfire missiles, providing formidable anti-armor and precision-strike capabilities.

In addition, the helicopter can field the AGR-20 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS).

By converting unguided Hydra 70 rockets into laser-guided munitions, APKWS offers a lighter, lower-cost precision option.

Its reduced collateral effects and faster ordnance handling make it ideal for missions where speed, accuracy, and minimized civilian impact are priorities.

In summary, by integrating a more powerful engine, MOSA digital backbone, launched effects, autonomous capabilities, advanced sensors, and upgraded weapons, the Black Hawk modernization program ensures this proven airframe remains effective on future battlefields.