The U.S. Military chosen Close to Earth Autonomy (Close to Earth) to steer a brand new $15 Million program to develop and area an optionally piloted contested logistics answer by retrofitting UH-60L Black Hawk helicopters with superior autonomy kits. This Military Program Government Workplace, Aviation (PEO Aviation) funded effort is a collaboration between Close to Earth and Honeywell, designed to remodel present plane into uncrewed, high-tempo logistics platforms.
On the coronary heart of this system is a modular retrofit package that may allow 24/7, uncrewed, high-tempo operations with out the necessity for onboard crew, distant pilots, or steady knowledge hyperlinks. The outcome minimizes threat to personnel whereas maximizing operational tempo and logistics throughput.
The initiative establishes a repeatable, scalable course of to retrofit a broad vary of rotary-wing
platforms, permitting the Military to keep away from lengthy acquisition cycles and unlock new capabilities from legacy
plane. The UH-60L is the primary focused platform, however the structure is designed for adaptability
throughout fleets.
Close to Earth’s deterministic autonomy structure, Captain, is central to this system. Designed for
mission assurance in advanced, degraded environments, Captain permits protected flight and hazard
avoidance with out the necessity for an onboard crew, distant pilot, or steady knowledge hyperlink, a important functionality in GPS and comms-denied eventualities. This system is developed utilizing a Modular Open
Programs Method (MOSA) to make sure modularity, cost-efficiency, and ease of future growth and
upkeep.
This new effort builds on over a decade of autonomous logistics breakthroughs by Close to Earth. In 2010,
Close to Earth was answerable for the world’s first totally autonomous helicopter flight, performed for the
U.S. Military’s Fight Medic Evacuation program, a milestone in aviation autonomy. The corporate additionally
developed the autonomy system for the Workplace of Naval Analysis’s Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility
System (AACUS) program, which proved that uncrewed helicopters may safely navigate, land, and
ship cargo in unprepared and unsafe environments with out pilot enter or infrastructure, a important
validation of autonomous logistics on the tactical edge.
“This program is a major step ahead for Military logistics and autonomy,” mentioned Sanjiv Singh, CEO of
Close to Earth. “We’re proud to convey our confirmed helicopter autonomy expertise to bear and excited to
see it operationalized at scale to assist troopers within the area.”
“Our avionics gives a modular, certifiable basis that aligns with each immediately’s operational tempo
and tomorrow’s autonomy objectives,” mentioned Matt Milas, President, Protection & House, Honeywell Aerospace
Applied sciences. “Whether or not for piloted, optionally piloted, or totally autonomous plane, our programs scale
to satisfy evolving navy wants with a certifiable basis.”
Honeywell is working alongside Close to Earth to form an autonomy answer that isn’t solely inexpensive
but additionally scalable and certifiable for future missions. Constructing on its confirmed avionics platforms—together with
the flight decks, Compact Fly-by-Wire system, and Navigation Programs—Honeywell delivers mission-
important applied sciences which are engineered for each retrofit and next-generation plane. These options are designed to satisfy immediately’s operational necessities whereas enabling a long-term transition towards uncrewed and extremely autonomous flight.
Close to Earth started working in direction of an uncrewed Black Hawk in 2021, constructing on its legacy of innovation
and success throughout the Division of Protection. Its autonomy programs have powered over 10,000 flights
on over 140 completely different airframes, together with platforms from Airbus, Bell, Boeing, Kaman, and Leonardo.
The Military will work with Close to Earth to develop new operational procedures for autonomous logistics by
conducting a sequence of autonomous flights resulting in a mature, mission-ready product for uncrewed
aerial logistics, one which strengthens the Military’s capability to function in contested and complicated theaters,
with pace, scale, and security.
About Close to Earth Autonomy
Close to Earth’s expertise permits plane to autonomously take off, fly, and land safely, with or with out
GPS. Their options allow aerial mobility purposes for companions within the industrial and protection
sectors. Close to Earth bridges the hole between aerospace and robotics with full programs that
enhance effectivity, efficiency, and security for plane starting from small drones to full-size
helicopters.
Be taught extra at nearearth.aero
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