In collaboration with trade leaders Leonardo and Honeywell, Close to Earth will showcase superior autonomy on the confirmed Leonardo AW139 helicopter platform to supply logistical help throughout expeditionary operations in contested environments.
Pennsylvania-based Close to Earth Autonomy has been chosen by NAVAIR to steer one of many groups demonstrating optimized logistics utilizing rotorcraft for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) program via an Different Transaction Settlement (OTA) underneath the Naval Aviation Methods Consortium (NASC).
For the ALC program, Leonardo will develop a seamless, absolutely built-in loading system for Joint Modular Intermodal Containers (JMIC) on the AW139 helicopter. Honeywell, who developed the A139’s present autopilot system, will develop autonomous takeoff and touchdown capabilities. Close to Earth will present its logistics and sensor bundle which allows the AW139 to function absolutely autonomously with out a distant pilot. Moreover, they’ll reveal the autonomous capabilities, permitting minimally educated personnel to finish advanced missions.
Autonomous Helicopters
This program is the most recent chapter of Close to Earth’s aim to supply absolutely autonomous large-scale UAV options, beforehand on Kaman’s Ok-Max platform. This new platform will enable for brand new, all-autonomous provide chains to frontline operations, enabling full-scale helicopter logistics, simply minus the pilots.
Sanjiv Singh, CEO of Close to Earth, acknowledged, “We began the corporate in 2012 to reveal autonomous resupply operations in austere environments at an unprecedented scale. We proved feasibility in 2017 with an autonomous UH-1, and now the Aerial Logistics Connector program permits us to reveal a whole system that meets this operational want within the close to future. We stay up for working with our companions at Leonardo, Honeywell and NAVAIR to construct upon state-of-the-art to advance the effectivity and security of army logistics. “
“Leonardo Helicopters is worked up to introduce the USMC to the world-class AW139 helicopter for this next-generation FVL mission,” stated Scott Volkert, Dir. of USMC Packages for Leonardo Helicopters. “The mix of Close to Earth’s autonomy and AW139 platform will present the Marines aid on their fight rotorcraft fleet and cut back their workforce necessities.”
“The way forward for aviation will embrace a number of layers of autonomy, and Honeywell is proud to work with our companions to supply the cutting-edge applied sciences that allow secure and safe autonomy options throughout a spread of autos, together with the AW139,” stated Matt Milas, president, Protection & Area, Honeywell Aerospace Applied sciences.
Extra data on Close to Earth Autonomy is on the market right here.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, knowledgeable drone companies market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory setting for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles centered on the business drone area and is a world speaker and acknowledged determine within the trade. Miriam has a level from the College of Chicago and over 20 years of expertise in excessive tech gross sales and advertising and marketing for brand new applied sciences.
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