US Army, Sikorsky Sign ‘Flexible’ Deal to Build 100+ Black Hawks

Troops board Black Hawk helicopters. Photo: Spc. Wesley Richardson/US Army

The US Army has partnered with Lockheed Martin segment Sikorksy to manufacture over 100 UH-60M Black Hawk utility helicopters as requirements evolve.

The agreement provides the service with options to scale orders rapidly for changing domestic budgets and growing foreign military sales demand.

It is expected to avoid interruptions across Sikorsky’s supply chain, which includes 230 vendors in 43 states, supporting roughly 55,000 American jobs.

The decision comes as the firm plans to upgrade the Black Hawk with higher-horsepower engines, extended range, autonomous capabilities, and open digital architecture, sustaining the aircraft’s operability through the 2070s.

Work for the new structure will be implemented by 2027 when existing multi-year contracts expire. Shipments are scheduled to commence the following year.

“This contract is not only fast but flexible,” said Rich Benton, vice president and general manager at Sikorsky. “This agreement turns a partner-nation decision into aircraft on the ramp faster than conventional procurement allows.”

Lockheed announced in late September that Washington had already placed an initial order of 16 helicopters under the framework.

Valued at $234.4 million, the funding was drawn from the 2025 and 2026 congressional appropriations as well as the army’s Black Hawk Exchange and Sales Transaction program, which reinvests proceeds from divested older aircraft into new purchases.

“This contract ensures we maintain a ready, modern, and survivable rotary-wing capability for the Army and our allies,” said Col. Ryan Nesrsta, manager for the utility helicopters project office in the US Army.

“The Black Hawk has long been a vital part of the Army and National Guard’s flexibility and will continue to be so for the next half century.”