In collaboration with business leaders Leonardo and Honeywell, Close to Earth will showcase superior autonomy on the confirmed Leonardo AW139 helicopter platform to offer logistical assist 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 by way of an Different Transaction Settlement (OTA) below the Naval Aviation Techniques Consortium (NASC).
For the ALC program, Leonardo will develop a seamless, totally built-in loading system for Joint Modular Intermodal Containers (JMIC) on the AW139 helicopter. Honeywell, who developed the A139’s current autopilot system, will develop autonomous takeoff and touchdown capabilities. Close to Earth will present its logistics and sensor package deal which permits the AW139 to function totally autonomously and not using a distant pilot. Moreover, they are going to display the autonomous capabilities, permitting minimally skilled personnel to finish complicated missions.
Autonomous Helicopters
This program is the newest chapter of Close to Earth’s purpose to offer totally 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, said, “We began the corporate in 2012 to display 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 display an entire system that meets this operational want within the close to future. We sit 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 happy to introduce the USMC to the world-class AW139 helicopter for this next-generation FVL mission,” mentioned Scott Volkert, Dir. of USMC Applications for Leonardo Helicopters. “The mix of Close to Earth’s autonomy and AW139 platform will present the Marines reduction 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 offer the cutting-edge applied sciences that allow protected and safe autonomy options throughout a variety of autos, together with the AW139,” mentioned Matt Milas, president, Protection & Area, Honeywell Aerospace Applied sciences.
Extra info on Close to Earth Autonomy is offered right here.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, an expert drone providers market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone business 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 business. 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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