Dependable Robotics, a frontrunner in autonomous plane programs, as we speak introduced it was permitted to take part within the 2024 AFWERX Tactical Funding Enhance (TACFI) program for america Division of the Air Pressure (USAF). TACFI is designed to “bridge the aptitude hole” between present Small Enterprise Innovation Analysis (SBIR) efforts to facilitate the supply of strategic capabilities for the Division of the Air Pressure. Dependable was competitively chosen for award from a big record of suppliers throughout the funding analysis.
“The TACFI Program is a priceless funding mechanism to bolster SBIR tasks and its utility to autonomy growth unlocks important product acceleration, maturation and demonstration of operationally related mission units,” mentioned Lt Col Bryan Ralston, Autonomy Prime Department Chief. “Autonomy is a key enabler for future navy tactical air dominance and ahead basing operations.”
TACFI choice and Dependable’s follow-on Section III SBIR contract each prolong and proceed Dependable’s earlier Section II contract. These contract efforts will additional Dependable’s ongoing collaboration with the Air Pressure Analysis Laboratory (AFRL) and AFWERX which incorporates:
- Demonstration of versatile distant piloting capabilities at McClellan Airfield throughout the latest AGILE FLAG train
- Army Airworthiness approval for autonomous flight testing and operational missions of Dependable’s Cessna 208 Caravan for the U.S. Air Pressure
- A giant plane automation examine to adapt Dependable’s autonomous flight system for airframes such because the KC-135
- Demonstration of autonomous flight at Travis Air Pressure base for distinguished navy personnel as a part of the Golden Phoenix train
- Completion of Section I and Section II SBIR contracts
“TACFI funding is a crucial milestone signifying our autonomous flight system is shifting ahead towards operational implementation,“ mentioned Dr. David O’Brien, Main Normal (Ret.), and Senior Vice President of Authorities Options at Dependable Robotics. “Dependable is laser-focused on U.S. management in aviation and delivering the Air Pressure unequalled automation capabilities for a number of plane varieties inside present stock, in lowered crew, and crewless modes to defeat any menace, at any time, wherever on earth.”
Dependable’s Twin-use Autonomous Flight System
Dependable Robotics has developed a dual-use resolution to transform present industrial airframes such because the Cessna 208B Caravan with autonomous flight programs, which may be configured for logistics and protection functions. Automated plane, particularly cargo plane, present mission-critical alternatives that may improve plane utilization, operational vary, and save navy lives, whereas enhancing the pilot pipeline, and facilitating new working ideas that might improve survivability in contested airspace. The USAF and different navy branches will have the ability to benefit from autonomy at fractional pricing in comparison with know-how developed completely for the navy.
Dependable’s certification progress of a full plane automation system is unparalleled with FAA acceptance of its certification plan in June 2023, and all necessities for the superior plane navigation and autopilot programs agreed upon in February 2024. Dependable and the FAA have additionally established settlement on the testing and evaluation that can be carried out to indicate that these extremely automated programs fulfill FAA security and efficiency necessities. With FAA approval, Dependable Robotics demonstrated operation of two completely different plane varieties in civilian airspace with no pilot onboard in 2019 and 2023.
About Dependable Robotics
Dependable Robotics launched in 2017 to carry protected, licensed automation programs to industrial aviation. The corporate’s system allows distant operation of any plane kind. Dependable’s imaginative and prescient is to rework the way in which we transfer items and folks across the planet with safer, extra handy and extra reasonably priced air transportation. The corporate is headquartered in Mountain View, CA and has a distributed international workforce.
Study extra and see job openings at https://dependable.co
