Fort Eustis, VA, March 19, 2026 – The U.S. Army received the first UH-60MX Black Hawk autonomous helicopter, extensively modified to fly with or without a pilot at the controls. This next-generation «Optimally Piloted Vehicle» (OPV) now enters a rigorous testing phase, marking a pivotal moment in the Army’s push to build a safer, smarter, Leer másU.S. Army receives its first autonomous UH-60MX Black Hawk[…]
Story by Leanna Maschino, Oklahoma National Guard OKLAHOMA CITY. — Oklahoma Army National Guard (OKARNG) deployed UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to support firefighting efforts. At the request of Oklahoma Emergency Management and authorization of Governor Kevin Stitt, members of the Oklahoma Army National Guard (OKARNG) were responding to wildfires in northwest Oklahoma utilizing UH-60 Black Leer másOklahoma Army Guard deployed UH-60 helicopters for firefighting[…]
PRAGUE, Czech Republic, November. 18, 2025 — In a significant step forward in Europe’s fight against wildfires, PZL Mielec, a Lockheed Martin company, announced a groundbreaking contract with Česká Letecká Servisní (CLS) and the Czech Republic Ministry of Interior for two new Sikorsky S-70 FIREHAWK helicopters, marking the first international fleet of its kind. FIREHAWK helicopters play Leer másCzech Republic signs for 2 new S-70 FIREHAWK helicopters to fight against the wildfires in Europe[…]
LOS ANGELES, California. October 29, 2025. — As the threat of wildfires continues to intensify, Los Angeles Fire Department announced a new contract with Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, for two S‑70i FIREHAWK helicopters. The new aircraft will enhance round the clock wildfire suppression, rescue, and emergency medical services (EMS) missions throughout the county’s 4,000 square mile area, where Leer másLos Angeles Fire Department acquires 2 new S-70i Firehawk helicopters[…]
Story by Richard Golfenberg, New York National Guard SCHUYLERVILLE, N.Y. — New York Army National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter crews partnered with state Department of Environmental Conservation Forest Rangers to hone their firefighting skills along the Hudson River near Schuylerville. May 8, 2025. The dozen Army aircrewmembers included Soldiers assigned to the 3rd Battalion, Leer másNew York National Guard UH-60 crews conduct firefighting training[…]
Hesperia, California, May 1, 2025 — Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company and Rain, a leader in the emerging firetech industry, demonstrated and tested autonomous firefighting techniques on both propane and burning brush piles using Sikorsky’s optionally piloted UH-60 Black Hawkhttps://hlcopters.com/tag/sikorsky-matrix/ with MATRIX flight autonomy system layered with Rain’s wildfire suppression planning software. Performed in late April Leer másRain and Sikorsky test firefighting with UH-60 Black Hawk MATRIX[…]
Story by Anthony Housey, Minnesota National Guard CAMP RIPLEY, Minn. – Minnesota National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk and CH-47 Chinook helicopter aircrews joined wildfire experts from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Camp Ripley Environmental Team to participate in joint firefighting training on April 16, 2025. Minnesota has an average of about 1,400 Leer másMinnesota Guard UH-60 and CH-47 conducts firefighting training[…]
Story by Lt. Col. Darrin Haas, Tennessee National Guard KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – At the request of the Tennessee Emergency Management Agency, the Tennessee National Guard provided four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters from Knoxville’s 1-230th Assault Helicopter Battalion to fight wildfires in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, beginning August 27,2024.. Around 2:20 p.m. EST, Tennessee Leer másTennessee Guard UH-60 crews respond to Great Smoky Mountains wildfires[…]
Story by Sgt. Michaela Granger, North Dakota National Guard BISMARCK, N.D. – The North Dakota National Guard launched an aerial operation with UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters to respond to an ice jam on the Missouri River in Bismarck, Feb. 29, 2024. Two National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk aircraft was deployed, repeatedly dropping 660 gallons of Leer másNational Guard UH-60 helicopters fight Missouri River ice jams[…]
COLUMBIA, S.C. – The South Carolina National Guard is assisting Colombia in dealing with dozens of wildfires. The country is State Partnership Program partner. To help emergency responders battle as many as 30 active fires in and around Bogota in late January, the South Carolina National Guard provided buckets to UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. “We Leer másSouth Carolina National Guard helps Colombia with its wildfires[…]