PHOENIX – The first test flight of an autonomous military helicopter was successfully completed in Phoenix last month.
Honeywell Aerospace Technologies is partnering with tech company Near Earth Autonomy to develop a self-flying Leonardo AW139 in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Aerial Logistics Connector program.
Honeywell Aerospace — Arizona’s second-largest defense contractor, according to the Phoenix Business Journal — said the test showed it was feasible for a helicopter to operate in contested environments with nobody on the aircraft and without a remote operator.
“Together with Near Earth Autonomy and Leonardo, we’re showing how existing aircraft can be adapted with trusted avionics to support the next generation of defense logistics,” Bob Buddecke, Honeywell Aerospace president of electronic solutions, said in a press release. “Uncrewed aircraft will be vital in keeping service men and women as safe as possible in contested environments, and we are one step closer to realizing that vision.”
What’s next for autonomous military helicopter testing?
The Leonardo AW139 is a multi-mission, twin-engine aircraft known for its versatility.
Additional testing will be done to expand the autonomous military helicopter’s capabilities, including obstacle avoidance and integration into military logistics workflows.
“By directly controlling the AW139’s flight modes with our autonomy system, we’ve shown that scalable autonomous logistics using existing platforms is not just possible — it’s happening now,” Near Earth Autonomy CEO Sanjiv Singh said in the release. “This capability is essential for reducing risk to military personnel and ensuring resilient supply chains in the field.”
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