Remote-controlled Black Hawk helicopter that can hit 172 MPH be will ready to fly next year
- Technology combines autonomy software and sensors
- Transforms a helicopter into remote-controlled, pilotless aircraft
- Can top speeds of 172 MPH and is set to be released in 2020
New technology could transform any military helicopter into a remote-controlled, pilotless war machine.
Designed by Sikorsky, the kit combines autonomy software and sensors allowing pilots to man the craft or stay grounded to focus on a mission.
The technology is currently being tested on a S-70 Black Hawk, which has shown to top speeds at 172 miles per hour and is set to take its first fully autonomous flight by 2020.
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The kit combines autonomy software and sensors, giving pilots the option to man the craft or stay grounded to focus on the mission. The technology has been tested on a S-70 Black Hawk (pictured)
Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockeheed Martin, which specializes in global security and aerospace, aims to make this autonomous technology easily retrofit on any existing aircraft.
The firm also has hopes to provide pilots a range of autonomy modes ‘so they can commit more time toward their mission, according to company officials, Military.com reported.
This includes autonomy layered within the fly-by-wire system, semi automatic, electronic avionics system that uses computers to process flight control.
Igor Cherepinsky, Sikorsky Director of Autonomy said in a phone call, ‘We will show the world that this is capable… [of] being operated from the ground sometime next year.’
The helicopter is said to have recorded 54.5 flight hours on the remote-controlled system and has topped speeds of 172 miles per hour.
The team conducted the first flight test on May 29th in West Palm Beach, Florida and since then, has ‘moved on to rate command attitude hold mode,’ Chief test pilot Mark Ward explained.
Over the next few months, test pilots will attempt to control the helicopter at wider ranges and different speeds.
Although many may see this as a robot takeover in the military, Cherepinsky has noted that the technology is designed ‘to augment the pilots, not replace the pilots.’
The helicopter is said to have recorded 54.5 flight hours on the remote-controlled system and has topped speeds of 172 miles per hour. The team conducted the first flight test on May 29th in West Palm Beach, Florida (pictured)
However, it will allow for customers to commit fewer aviation personnel per aircraft by virtue of the system, he said.
The announcement of the OPV comes just a year after Army pilots demonstrated similar abilities with the Sikorsky Autonomy Research Aircraft, or SARA.
The modified S-76B used the company’s MATRIX software and hardware combinations for its autonomous flight.
This technology has been routinely tested since 2013 and has been tested in a series of mission tests , according to Defense News.
Although many may see this as a robot takeover in the military, Cherepinsky has noted that the technology is designed ‘to augment the pilots, not replace the pilots
‘MATRIX is designed to improve flight operations and augment the pilot in the difficult flight conditions where helicopters are called on to operate: among wires, trees and buildings and in dangerous weather conditions,’ Cherepinsky separately told Military.com.
‘We are developing this system to the highest standards for not only military qualification, but also working closely with the FAA on certification, enabling MATRIX technology to be used on military, commercial and civil fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft that carry both cargo and passengers.’
Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockeheed Martin, which specializes in global security and aerospace, aims to make this autonomous technology easily retrofit on any existing aircraft
