Sikorsky and Robinson Unmanned secure USMC contract for autonomous logistics

The US Marine Corps has awarded a US$15.5 million ($22 million) contract to Lockheed Martin Sikorsky for the Medium Aerial Resupply Vehicle – Expeditionary Logistics (MARV-EL) Increment 2 program. Lockheed Martin Sikorsky will provide the Robinson R66 TURBINETRUCK, an autonomous cargo helicopter commercially developed by Sikorsky and Robinson Unmanned that combines Sikorsky’s proven MATRIX™ autonomy system with the rugged R66 airframe from Robinson Helicopter Company, says Lockheed Martin.

The R66 TURBINETRUCK will leverage similar features as Sikorsky’s new fully autonomous S-70UAS™ U-Hawk™ helicopter which also uses the MATRIX autonomy system.

The ability to deliver ammunition, medical supplies and other essential equipment at the point of need, regardless of terrain, weather, or enemy threat, is critical to the USMC’s continued success, the company says.

The MARV-EL program fills a capability gap between small tactical drones and large strategic airlifters, delivering a reliable “middleweight” uncrewed logistics platform capable of operating from austere forward operating bases, ship decks or unimproved landing zones.

“As we expand the MATRIX family, we also extend the reach of uncrewed solutions for both civil and military customers,” said Rich Benton, vice president and general manager of Sikorsky. “The commercially developed R66 TURBINETRUCK is simple, economical and re-configurable; ideal for high-risk, hard-to-reach environments where keeping personnel out of harm’s way is essential.”

The R66 TURBINETRUCK is designed to support missions when ground or crewed aviation assets are unavailable, and keep personnel out of danger in high‑risk scenarios. The MARV-EL program is the middleweight capability responding to a gap within the Unmanned Logistics System – Air (ULS-A) program. MARV-EL requires an uncrewed aircraft that can carry a logistic payload between 1,300 and 2,500 lbs (590- 1130kg) to a combat radius of 100nm (185km), operating through a common digital handheld device.

“The R66 TURBINETRUCK represents a significant step forward in expanding proven rotorcraft into scalable, autonomous cargo solutions for demanding operational environments,” said David Smith, president and CEO of Robinson Helicopter Company, describing the capability as a ‘gamechanger’.

Robinson Unmanned will deliver the first R66 TURBINETRUCK to Sikorsky for integration, test and evaluation, and demonstration. Sikorsky participated in the USMC’s Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) Phase 1 in 2025 and will be bringing that experience to MARV-EL Increment 2. MATRIX will integrate into the R66 TURBINETRUCK in a similar manner to Sikorsky’s S-70UAS U-Hawk helicopter, while incorporating a smaller footprint and lower cost.