Aurora tests AACUS capabilities
Aurora Flight Sciences has been testing the new capabilities of the Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (AACUS) for the US Marine Corps (USMC), which announced it on 25 May.
The AACUS is an autonomy applique kit to tactically operate full-scale rotorcraft in and out of austere landing zones with minimal human assistance. The solution enables warfighters to control the aircraft using an application on military-issued tablets.
The company plans to test the programme capabilities on a Bell UH-1H Iroquois military helicopter from 2017 to early 2017, and implement the technology in the USMC fleet in 2018.
Capt Christopher Alfaro, MAGTF logistics integration officer, logistics division and strategy branch, Headquarters USMC, said: 'The AACUS is a sensor package that when installed on an aircraft allows for it to be unmanned. 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.'
Maj Jason Jewell, pilot, Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 774, Marine Aircraft Group 49, 4th Marine Aircraft Wing, USMC, said: 'This system is going to allow pilots to let the system do the risky jobs. By this time next year we should be flying with the AACUS on the UH-1H.'
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
