Video: US Army Black Hawk helicopter completes first unmanned flight

The DARPA Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program completed the first-ever flight of a UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter without anyone onboard. Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, completed 30-minutes of uninhabited flight with the optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) over the U.S. Army installation at Fort Campbell, Kentucky on February 5th. An additional uninhabited flight was also conducted on February 7th.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

Summary of this video:

On a clear and cold morning, the autonomous BLACK HAWK, equipped with ALIAS (Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System) begins executing a 30-minute mission. To demonstrate its ability to adapt to a variety of mission environments, the uninhabited BLACK HAWK navigates at typical speed and altitude through a simulated cityscape, avoiding imagined buildings while route re-planning in real-time. All the while, onboard sensor simulation provides real-time obstacle data.

The BLACK HAWK helicopter then autonomously executes a series of pedal turns, maneuvers and straightaways before completing a perfect landing. Once it shuts itself down, the two pilots approach and re-enter the aircraft. The OPV (optionally-piloted vehicle) switch is reversed from zero to two, and then the pilot's taxi back down the runway.

Visit our online defense and security magazines and read more news at:

Army Recognition https://www.armyrecognition.com

Navy Recognition https://www.navyrecognition.com

Air Recognition https://www.airrecognition.com