|
The AACUS is an autonomy applique kit that enables
operations of full-scale rotary-wing aircraft in and out of
austere landing zones, tactically, with little human
assistance.
“We know how to make things fly, we've
been doing it for over 100 years,” said Retired Brig. Gen.
Frank Kelley, formerly the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the
Navy for Unmanned Systems. “What we don't yet know how to
do, is how to couple aircraft and autonomous systems
together, but great programs like this are helping us get
there.”
|
Pilots supervise a Bell 206 helicopter during tests of the
attached Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (close-up on bottom
right) in Bealeton,
Virginia, May 25, 2016. Pilots make sure that the system can run
smoothly and perform maneuvers the same way a human controlling it
would. (Image created by USA Patriotism! from U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Julien Rodarte)
|
Aurora is determined to find a way to make a
safer, easier way to complete flight missions in a combat
environment through the AACUS.
“The AACUS is a sensor
package that when installed on an aircraft allows for it to
be unmanned,” said Capt. Christopher Alfaro, MAGTF logistics
integration officer, logistics division and strategy branch,
Headquarters Marine Corps. “Which means we can put this kit
on any aircraft and as long as we do the science and
engineering behind it, it can fly autonomously.”
AACUS enables a warfighter to control the aircraft via an
intuitive application on military issued tablets.
“This system is going to allow pilots to let the system do
the risky jobs,” said Maj. Jason Jewell an osprey pilot with
Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 774, Marine Aircraft Group
49, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing. “By this time next year we
should be flying with the AACUS on the UH-1H.”
Aurora says they plan on testing the capabilities of the
program on a UH-1H aircraft from 2017 to early 2018 and plan
to implement this technology into the Marine Corps fleet
sometime in 2018.
By U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Julien Rodarte
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2016
The U.S. Marines
|
Comment on this article |
