In collaboration with trade 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 guide one of many groups demonstrating optimized logistics utilizing rotorcraft for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) program by an Different Transaction Settlement (OTA) underneath the Naval Aviation Programs 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 current autopilot system, will develop autonomous takeoff and touchdown capabilities. Close to Earth will present its logistics and sensor package deal which allows the AW139 to function absolutely autonomously with no distant pilot. Moreover, they’ll show the autonomous capabilities, permitting minimally skilled personnel to finish advanced missions.
Autonomous Helicopters
This program is the most recent chapter of Close to Earth’s objective to offer absolutely autonomous large-scale UAV options, beforehand on Kaman’s Ok-Max platform. This new platform will permit for brand spanking 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 show 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 show a whole system that meets this operational want within the close to future. We look ahead to working with our companions at Leonardo, Honeywell and NAVAIR to construct upon state-of-the-art to advance the effectivity and security of navy logistics. “
“Leonardo Helicopters is excited to introduce the USMC to the world-class AW139 helicopter for this next-generation FVL mission,” mentioned Scott Volkert, Dir. of USMC Packages for Leonardo Helicopters. “The combination of Near Earth’s autonomy and AW139 platform will provide the Marines relief on their combat rotorcraft fleet and reduce their workforce requirements.”
“The future of aviation will include several layers of autonomy, and Honeywell is proud to work with our partners to provide the cutting-edge technologies that enable safe and secure autonomy solutions across a range of vehicles, including the AW139,” mentioned Matt Milas, president, Protection & House, Honeywell Aerospace Applied sciences.
Extra data 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, knowledgeable drone providers market, and a fascinated observer of the rising drone trade and the regulatory atmosphere for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles centered on the business drone house and is a global 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 for brand spanking new applied sciences.
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