Dependable Robotics, a frontrunner in autonomous plane programs, in the present day introduced it was authorized to take part within the 2024 AFWERX Tactical Funding Improve (TACFI) program for america Division of the Air Drive (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 Drive. Dependable was competitively chosen for award from a big record of suppliers throughout the funding analysis.
“The TACFI Program is a precious funding mechanism to bolster SBIR tasks and its utility to autonomy improvement unlocks vital product acceleration, maturation and demonstration of operationally related mission units,” stated Lt Col Bryan Ralston, Autonomy Prime Department Chief. “Autonomy is a key enabler for future army 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 Drive Analysis Laboratory (AFRL) and AFWERX which incorporates:
- Demonstration of versatile distant piloting capabilities at McClellan Airfield throughout the latest AGILE FLAG train
- Navy Airworthiness approval for autonomous flight testing and operational missions of Dependable’s Cessna 208 Caravan for the U.S. Air Drive
- A massive plane automation research to adapt Dependable’s autonomous flight system for airframes such because the KC-135
- Demonstration of autonomous flight at Travis Air Drive base for distinguished army 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 transferring ahead towards operational implementation,“ stated Dr. David O’Brien, Main Common (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 Drive unmatched automation capabilities for a number of plane sorts inside present stock, in diminished crew, and crewless modes to defeat any risk, at any time, anyplace on earth.”
Dependable’s Twin-use Autonomous Flight System
Dependable Robotics has developed a dual-use answer to transform present business airframes such because the Cessna 208B Caravan with autonomous flight programs, which will 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 army lives, whereas enhancing the pilot pipeline, and facilitating new working ideas that would improve survivability in contested airspace. The USAF and different army branches will be capable to make the most of autonomy at fractional pricing in comparison with expertise developed completely for the army.
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 might 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 sorts in civilian airspace with no pilot onboard in 2019 and 2023.
About Dependable Robotics
Dependable Robotics launched in 2017 to deliver secure, licensed automation programs to business aviation. The corporate’s system allows distant operation of any plane sort. Dependable’s imaginative and prescient is to rework the way in which we transfer items and other people across the planet with safer, extra handy and extra inexpensive air transportation. The corporate is headquartered in Mountain View, CA and has a distributed world workforce.
Study extra and see job openings at https://dependable.co