Skyryse has entered the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the US Army to enhance pilot training efficiency and aircraft interoperability.  

The aim is to implement the SkyOS system to improve safety, ease of operation, and overall mission effectiveness for military aircraft.  

The initiative will focus on potentially integrating Skyryse's technology into the Army's fleet, which includes more than 2,400 Black Hawk helicopters.  

SkyOS is said to be the world's first universal operating system for flight. It integrates deterministic expert AI-powered software with a fly-by-wire system and a streamlined, fighter jet-inspired control interface. 

This CRADA will see Skyryse work closely with Army aviation specialists to adapt its automated flight capabilities to meet the demands of military operations.  

These advances are expected to streamline pilot controls, incorporate autonomous features, increase safety, and enable the aircraft to operate with or without a pilot.  

The partnership is in line with the Army's modernisation goals and seeks to provide pilots simplified, automated systems that lessen their workload, enhancing mission success and safety in challenging environments.  

Joint testing and validation will be conducted under the CRADA to ensure the new technologies adhere to Army aviation standards.  

Skyryse CEO Dr Mark Groden said: “By combining the Army’s operational expertise with Skyryse’s leadership in rotorcraft flight controls and automation, we have a unique opportunity to make flying simple and safe enough that any serviceperson can fly any aircraft.  

“This CRADA underscores our commitment to creating safer solutions for all aviation – both civilian and military.” 

This agreement follows a previous contract awarded to Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, to equip the US Army's experimental UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter with its Matrix flight autonomy system in October of 2024.