Moog Inc. has successfully demonstrated a fully automated flight on a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. The aircraft handled everything from liftoff to landing after the pilot pressed a single button.
The flight took place in October 2025 using Moog’s GRC 4000 autopilot system paired with the Black Hawk’s Genesys Avionics Suite . The helicopter performed automatic liftoff, hover, cruise, and landing without hands-on control.
Helicopter pilots face heavy workloads during missions. The GRC 4000 reduces that burden by constantly stabilizing the aircraft and protecting against over-speed or under-speed conditions . This lets pilots focus on mission tasks instead of constant stick adjustments.
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The system works as a four-axis autopilot, meaning it controls the main movements of the helicopter . It manages pitch for altitude and airspeed, roll for heading and navigation, and adds a fourth axis for collective control during hover and landing.
Nick Bogner, director of business development at Moog Avionics, said automation is the future of safer aviation. “The GRC 4000 performs constant, high complexity, control tasks allowing pilots to focus on mission-critical roles,” he explained.
The autopilot stays active from engine start to shutdown in all weather conditions . It can automatically recover the helicopter to a near-level attitude at any airspeed if the pilot becomes disoriented.
The system is lightweight at under 35 pounds and installs without major aircraft modifications . This makes it practical for upgrading existing helicopter fleets rather than building new ones.
Moog began developing the GRC 4000 in response to FAA and NTSB calls to reduce fatigue-related aviation incidents . The company expects supplemental type certification soon, with hover hold available first and auto-land following.
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This automation technology also supports broader efforts to create optionally crewed aircraft. Moog is working with Near Earth Autonomy on the RUC-60 program, which turns retired Black Hawks into autonomous cargo carriers for military logistics.
The system shows how far helicopter automation has come. What once required constant pilot attention can now happen with a button push, making flights safer and crews more effective.
