A US Military Nationwide Guard soldier has develop into the primary particular person with out formal pilot coaching to plan and execute autonomous helicopter missions utilizing Lockheed Martin Sikorsky’s MATRIX know-how, the corporate acknowledged.
Through the Northern Strike 25-2 workout routines at Camp Grayling, Michigan, Sikorsky fielded its Optionally Piloted Black Hawk to reveal how autonomous programs might broaden operational attain and scale back danger to personnel.
Working with the Joint Personnel Restoration Company and DARPA, the trials marked the primary time an autonomous Black Hawk flew underneath the total management of a serving soldier reasonably than a educated take a look at pilot or engineer.
The soldier, a Sergeant First Class, realized to make use of the system’s handheld pill in underneath an hour earlier than independently commanding the plane to move a 2,900-pound water tank, conduct precision parachute drops, and full a medical evacuation simulation. The take a look at showcased MATRIX’s potential to handle complicated missions reminiscent of logistics, cargo supply, and personnel restoration with out direct pilot enter.
Wealthy Benton, vice chairman and common supervisor at Sikorsky, mentioned “Sikorsky’s MATRIX flight autonomy system can rework how navy operators carry out their missions. An optionally piloted Black Hawk can scale back pilot workload in a difficult setting or full a resupply mission with out people on board.”
Throughout three demonstrations, the plane carried out precision logistics drops over Lake Huron, accomplished autonomous sling load hookups, and executed a simulated MEDEVAC switch at an unimproved touchdown web site. Sikorsky mentioned the system allows autonomous operation in contested or low-visibility environments, providing larger resilience for resupply and restoration missions.
MATRIX know-how types a part of DARPA’s Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) programme, designed to present operators larger management of complicated aviation programs. Sikorsky described the Northern Strike trials as a proof of idea for “the following era of agile, adaptable plane programs.”