DARPA strives for the future helicopter pilot
Northrop Grumman's AI technology will help pilots to see more, as shown by the above depiction. (Image: Northrop Grumman)
Northrop Grumman has been awarded a contract from the US DARPA’s Perceptually-enabled task Guidance Program to develop a prototype AI assistant.
The prototype will be embedded in an AR headset to help rotary pilots perform expected and unexpected tasks.
The company, in partnership with the University of Central Florida, will develop an operator and context-adaptive reasoning intuitive assistant (OCARINA) that will support UH-60 Blackhawk pilots.
Erin Cherry, senior autonomy program manager, Northrop Grumman, stated: ‘It will help teach new tasks, aid in the recognition and reduction of errors, improve task completion time and help to prevent catastrophic events.’
Currently, simple warning systems are the most common means for aiding a rotorcraft aircraft, such as auditory alerts to increase altitude.
However, these warning systems are limiting and can induce unanticipated cognitive burdens on pilots. In fact, studies have shown that inattentional blindness to such warnings can occur.
DARPA’s PTG program aims to provide users with wearable sensors which allow the AI assistant to provide feedback and guidance through speech and aligned graphics.
This decision follows a series of UH-60 crashes in 2021, including one which occurred in Idaho on 2 February and another which occurred in New York state on 20 January.
More from Air Warfare
-
How the MQ-9B's interoperability is driving future market success
With numerous nations, including the UK, committing a combined US$9.99 billion to acquiring the MQ-9B MALE UAV according to Shephard Defence Insight data, the capability now looks set to soar as UAV spending rises globally.
-
DSEI 2025: Drone Evolution eyes UK and export markets with Scimitar FPV drone
Launched at DSEI 2025 for the first time, the first-person-view uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) is available as 10-inch and 7-inch variant, ideal for surveillance or one-way strike missions.
-
Proteus: forging the future of autonomous rotorcraft
As the home of British helicopters, Leonardo has worked with the UK Ministry of Defence for over a decade to advance technologies underpinning uncrewed rotorcraft. Today, in partnership with DE&S Future Capabilities Innovation and the Royal Navy, Leonardo is spearheading the next step in that journey: from remotely piloted technologies to fully autonomous systems.
-
Insight: What future remains for the E-7 Wedgetail aircraft?
The surveillance aircraft from Boeing is deployed by various countries, most notably the Royal Australian Air Force; but ongoing setbacks for future customers, who cite rising costs and delays, have thrown the aircraft into the spotlight.
-
India fast-tracks helicopter procurement with dual RFIs for 276 platforms
India has issued urgent RFIs for more than 270 reconnaissance, surveillance and utility helicopters across its services, signalling a systemic overhaul of rotary-wing capabilities with a renewed emphasis on indigenous production and technology transfer.