FORT A.P. HILL, Virginia, — June 17, 2026 : The U.S. Army has successfully completed a flight test of its medium-range Air-Launched Effects (A-LE) capability from a UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter, marking a key milestone in Army Aviation modernization efforts. The testing was conducted over a three-day period in June 2026 at Fort A.P. Hill, Virginia.
During the event, UH-60M aircrews successfully launched and controlled multiple medium-range unmanned systems from a single Black Hawk helicopter. The demonstration completed a 13-month accelerated development program aimed at rapidly integrating the Air-Launched Effects capability into the Army’s rotary-wing fleet.
The test marked the first time an Army rotary-wing platform has launched multiple launched effects from a single UH-60M aircraft. The capability enables aircrews to deploy and command unmanned systems from a stand-off distance, extending operational reach while improving the survivability of manned aircraft in contested environments.
“Launching multiple LEs from a single H-60M is a first for an Army rotary-wing platform, marking a major step forward in modernizing Army Aviation,” said Rodney Davis, Capability Program Executive for Aviation.
“Just as important, validating the system’s advanced networking confirms we can maintain resilient, high-fidelity command and control at extended ranges—delivering a decisive advantage for the warfighter,” Davis added.
Joint and Industry Collaboration
The Army said the rapid integration effort was made possible through cooperation between Capability Program Executives, Portfolio Acquisition Executives, the U.S. Navy, and defense industry partners.
A dedicated Combined Test Team consisting of experimental test pilots and flight test engineers from the Redstone Test Center and the Technology Development Directorate-Aviation supported the program. The team streamlined test planning and evaluation, helping reduce redundant testing and accelerate capability delivery.
Brig. Gen. G. Robert Mikesh Jr., Capability Program Executive for Offensive Fires, highlighted the integration of the Long-Range Precision Munition (LRPM) into the system.
“The rapid integration of the Long-Range Precision Munition (LRPM) into the UH-60M A-LE launching solution shows the strong partnership between PAE Fires, PAE Maneuver Air, and DEVCOM AvMC and our commitment to rapidly developing, testing, and fielding cutting-edge capabilities to the warfighter,” Mikesh said.
Next Phase of Testing
Following the successful demonstration, the Army plans to continue maturing the capability. The UH-60M Air-Launched Effects system is scheduled to participate in Project Convergence Capstone 6 later this summer.
The exercise will evaluate the system’s performance, interoperability, and tactical utility in a large-scale operational environment involving joint-force networks.
The successful test at Fort A.P. Hill represents continued progress in integrating Air-Launched Effects into Army Aviation, providing helicopter crews with new options to extend range, improve battlefield awareness, and support operations while maintaining greater stand-off distance from threats.
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