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Sikorsky and Robinson Introduce R66 Turbinetruck Autonomous Cargo Helicopter

The pilotless cargo variant uses Sikorsky’s MATRIX autonomy for palletized logistics, with no customer contracts disclosed.

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Robinson Unmanned’s new R66 Turbinetruck equipped with Sikorsky’s MATRIX autonomy system. Photo: Robinson Unmanned

Overview

  • The R66 Turbinetruck pairs Robinson Unmanned’s cargo-configured R66 airframe with Sikorsky’s MATRIX autonomy suite as the system’s 21st enabled aircraft.
  • Operators load cargo and set mission goals via a MATRIX tablet, after which the helicopter auto-generates a flight plan and navigates using onboard cameras and sensors.
  • MATRIX cites more than 1,000 flight hours across platforms and shares architecture with Sikorsky’s fully autonomous S-70UAS U-Hawk.
  • The modified R66 removes the cockpit to create a high-volume cabin with a reinforced flat floor, seven tie-down points, and a nose clamshell door for rapid palletized loading.
  • The platform is positioned for remote-site resupply, contested logistics, and disaster relief for civil and military users, with an internal payload capacity up to 1,300 pounds.