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US Transforms Cold War Helicopters into Drones Amid Taiwan Tensions

2/8/2026

24 3 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The United States is converting Cold War–era helicopters into drones, a move defense experts say could be vital if China clashes with Taiwan.
Both the United States and China have retrofitted outdated aircraft into uncrewed drones.
Sikorsky highlighted the S-70UAS U-Hawk, based on the UH-60 Black Hawk, at the Singapore Airshow.
Frank Crisafulli of Sikorsky says Asia-Pacific demand for the U-Hawk stems from perceptions of regional threats.

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Story summary

The United States is converting Cold War–era helicopters into drones, a move defense experts say could be vital if China clashes with Taiwan.
Both the United States and China have retrofitted outdated aircraft into uncrewed drones.
Sikorsky highlighted the S-70UAS U-Hawk, based on the UH-60 Black Hawk, at the Singapore Airshow.
Frank Crisafulli of Sikorsky says Asia-Pacific demand for the U-Hawk stems from perceptions of regional threats.