Matt Thurber, editor-in-chief at AIN Media Group, has been flying since 1975 and writing about aviation since 1978 and now has the best job in the world, running editorial operations for Aviation International News, Business Jet Traveler, and FutureFlight.aero. In addition to working as an A&amp;P mechanic on everything from Piper Cubs to turboprops, Matt taught flying at his father’s flight school in Plymouth, Mass., in the early 1980s, flew for an aircraft owner/pilot, and for two summer seasons hunted swordfish near the George’s Banks off the East Coast from a Piper Super Cub. An ATP certificated fixed-wing pilot and CFII and commercial helicopter pilot, Matt is type-rated in the Citation 500 and Gulfstream V/550. Based in the Pacific Northwest, Matt and his team cover the entire aviation scene including business aircraft, helicopters, avionics, safety, manufacturing, charter, fractionals, technology, air transport, advanced air mobility, defense, and other subjects of interest to AIN, BJT, and FutureFlight readers.

Editor-in-Chief

Matt Thurber

Honeywell, Moog, and XP Services are collaborating to convert a Sikorsky UH-60L Black Hawk into the RUC-60, equipped with Near Earth Autonomy’s Captain architecture autonomy system. Mission flight testing is expected this year, following earlier integration work and flights of the responsive uncrewed capability (RUC) Black Hawk to prepare for the next phase of testing.
Autonomous helicopters are gaining interest among defense organizations, particularly for their ability to sustain forces without risking human crew members.
“Near Earth is leading the integration of autonomy into the next generation of military operations,” said Lyle Chamberlain, the company’s chief technology officer. “Once you remove the pilot, you have to re-evaluate the entire operation, everything from how the aircraft gets out of the hangar to how it navigates and makes mission-critical decisions in flight.
“Autonomy isn’t just about flight control; it has to take on the full role of the crew, including responsibilities we often take for granted. That’s why we built the Captain autonomy architecture from the ground up to support end-to-end operations and meet the rigorous accreditation standards needed for real-world deployment.”
The RUC-60 demonstrated fully automated flight last year. Near Earth has been working on an uncrewed Black Hawk since 2021 and has completed more than 10,000 autonomy flights with 140 helicopters, including aircraft from Airbus, Bell, Boeing, Kaman, and Leonardo.
Deploying as a kit to convert UH-60L helicopters, the RUC-60 will include Moog’s Genesys GRC 4000 four-axis autopilot. More than 700 U.S. Army UH-60Ls are expected to retire in the coming years, according to Near Earth.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Mission Underway To Expand Testing of Autonomous RUC-60 Black Hawk

Autonomy enables higher-risk missions without risking human crews

Integration and flights of the responsive uncrewed capability (RUC) Black Hawk have already taken place to prepare for this year’s activities.

Autonomous RUC-60 Black Hawk Testing Expands

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Neelam Mathews

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

News and issues concerning general aviation, specifically airplanes and helicopters powered by piston and alternative engines (i.e., non-turbine powered aircraft). Subjects include aircraft, engines, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security and training.

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Charlotte Bailey

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations 

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany 

New developments and products in avionics, specifically about aircraft electronics in the cockpit.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Verticon 2026

In this article

Genesys Aerosystems (Moog)

Honeywell

Near Earth Autonomy

XP Services

More In Rotorcraft

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

FAA Floats Special Conditions for Skyryse Fly-by-wire R66

Proposed rule addresses pilot awareness of control limits

Vertical Lift Groups Extend Trade Show Partnership

European Helicopter Association and Vertical Aviation International extended their alliance

Sikorsky Is Upgrading the Black Hawk Helicopter for Evolving Military Needs

Armed forces will be able to outfit Black Hawks with new armament and equipment.

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN