HARTFORD, Conn. — Sikorsky Aircraft announced a billion-dollar venture Monday that it hopes will respond to military demand for technology to fight two wars, including Black Hawk helicopters that can see and fly on their own.
The Stratford-based helicopter-maker and military contractor said Sikorsky Innovations is intended to speed the transformation of the mechanical helicopter into a computerized aircraft.
The Black Hawk is a military workhorse, used in conflicts in Afghanistan, Iraq, Grenada and Panama. It’s also part of military packages sold to other nations and has been used in civilian missions such as rescuing snowbound mountain climbers.
Sikorsky intends to have a demonstrator model of an unmanned Black Hawk ready this year and introduce it by 2015. An unmanned version could add about $2 million to the current $15 million price tag, but would save money with fewer or no crew members, he said. The Associated Press; Getty Images file photo
