The Marine Corps Is Testing a Fully Autonomous Huey Helicopter
The iconic Vietnam War-era helicopter can now fly missions by itself.
By Kyle Mizokami
Dec 14, 2017
The U.S. Marine Corps took another step towards autonomous flight last month with test flights of a Huey helicopter modified to fly by itself. The tests validated a kit developed by Aurora Flight Sciences that can enable almost any helicopter to fly autonomously, performing repetitive, boring but necessary missions while pilots get some much-needed downtime.
The tests, which took place in late November, involved a hardware and software kit known as Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (AACUS) which includes both hardware and software and can be installed on any rotary wing aircraft. The Marines currently fly three different helicopters: the CH-53E Super Stallion heavy transport helicopter, the AH-1Z Cobra attack helicopter, and the UH-1Y utility/light attack helicopter.
http://www.popularmechanics.com/military/aviation/a14435431/the-marine-corps-is-testing-a-fully-autonomous-huey-helicopter/
