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Close to Earth Autonomy will demo superior autonomy on the Leonardo AW139 helicopter. | Supply: Close to Earth Autonomy
The Naval Air System Command (NAVAIR) has chosen Close to Earth Autonomy to reveal a complicated autonomy system for helicopters. The corporate will likely be demoing its expertise for the U.S. Marine Corps’ Aerial Logistics Connection (ACL) program, transporting varied kinds of cargo and serving in casualty evacuation roles, working in each crewed and uncrewed configurations.
Close to Earth Autonomy says this twin functionality will develop the vary of missions the U.S. Marine Corps rotorcraft will be capable to undertake. Particularly, the 20-month initiative will spotlight the speedy deployment of cargo as much as 3,000 lb. over a 200 NM radius. To attain this, Near Earth Autonomy will work with {industry} leaders Leonardo and Honeywell. They’ll showcase superior autonomy on the Leonardo AW139 helicopter to supply logistical assist throughout expeditionary operations in contested environments.
“We began the corporate in 2012 to reveal autonomous resupply operations in austere environments at an unprecedented scale,” Sanjiv Singh, CEO of Close to Earth Autonomy, stated. “We proved feasibility in 2017 with an autonomous UH-1, and now the Aerial Logistics Connector program permits us to reveal an entire 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.”
Close to Earth Autonomy will lean on industry-leading companions
Leonardo’s AW139 is thought for its versatility in protection, medical rescue, regulation enforcement, and vitality operations. When mixed with Close to Earth’s logistics mission autonomy system, it is going to be the centerpiece of this program.
For this system, Leonardo will implement a quick loading, securing, and unloading system for Joint Modular Intermodal Containers (JMIC) on the AW139 helicopter. Honeywell, which already gives the AW139’s autopilot, will increase the system to allow autonomous take-off and touchdown capabilities.
“The way forward for aviation will embody a number of layers of autonomy, and Honeywell is proud to work with our companions to supply the cutting-edge applied sciences that allow protected and safe autonomy options throughout a variety of autos, together with the AW139,” Matt Milas, president of Protection & Area at Honeywell Aerospace Applied sciences, stated.
Because the prime contractor, Close to Earth will reveal a completely built-in logistics system that includes onboard autonomy that guides the plane and modifies the flight trajectory. This permits the system to keep away from hazards with out requiring a distant operator. Moreover, Close to Earth will reveal mission autonomy, enabling frivolously educated personnel to request, dispatch, monitor, and retask provide deliveries in contested environments.
