In a significant advancement for military aviation, a U.S. Army National Guard Sergeant First Class successfully executed autonomous Black Hawk missions using MATRIX technology during the Northern Strike 25-2 exercise in August 2025. This operation marked the first instance of a non-pilot controlling an optionally piloted Black Hawk helicopter via a handheld tablet, conducting complex tasks such as cargo resupply and precision airborne drops. The MATRIX technology, a collaboration with DARPA, enhances mission capabilities while mitigating risks by enabling operations in challenging environments without endangering human crews. This development underscores a transformative shift towards greater reliance on autonomous systems in military operations, which aligns with modernization goals and reflects a strategic move to increase operational flexibility and resilience in diverse theaters.