The United States Air Force (USAF) green-lit a flight test of a remotely-piloted Cessna 208 Caravan operated by Reliable Robotics this week.
The contractor released a statement, saying that the milestone represented an elevated level of engagement with the Department of Defense (DoD) as they were now equipped to showcase its dual-use automated flight capabilities tailored to military applications, including cargo missions, according to Defence Blog.
"Nothing compares to showcasing how our autonomous flight capabilities will immediately enable new ways for the US Air Force and other departments of the military to lead with innovation, improve safety and project power across the globe," Reliable Robotics senior vice president of government solutions David O'Brien, a retired Air Force general, said.
Advanced Autopilot on Cargo Planes
The Pentagon's airworthiness policies mandated that the aircraft and air systems intended for Air Force use should undergo a rigorous airworthiness assessment in accordance with Air Force standards.
To meet this, Reliable conducted a comprehensive safety analysis, maintenance, and operational evaluations, and the testing of the automated flight technologies. The accomplishment was a pivotal milestone in the company's contract.
"Our [Air Force work project (AFWERX)] partners are developing exciting automation technologies through robust engineering and flight test campaigns," AFWERX airworthiness and test lead Hank "Hog" Griffiths said. "The technology is maturing rapidly, and this airworthiness approval for a certified aircraft retrofitted with an autonomous flight system provides significant opportunities for the military."
Reliable has been collaborating with the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) and AFWERX since 2021. Two years later, in 2023, Reliable demonstrated automated flight capabilities to military personnel as part of the Golden Phoenix exercise at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, California.
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