AACUS enabled UH-1H completes first cargo delivery
Aurora Flight Sciences’ Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (AACUS) has successfully completed its first operational cargo delivery to the US Marine Corps (USMC), the company announced on 17 May.
The delivery was made during the integrated training exercise at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms in California.
According to the company, this was the first autonomous point-to-point cargo resupply mission to provide critical logistics support to the USMC.
The milestone was achieved using AACUS enabled UH-1H helicopter that completed an autonomous cargo sustainment flight delivering 520lbs (236kgs) of water, gasoline, MREs and replacement communications gear including a packed cooler to represent urgently required cargo such as blood.
The AACUS enabled UH-1 helicopter is capable of flying completely autonomously, using only its onboard sensors, computers and intelligent algorithms to plan its trajectory and to select its own landing sites in unmapped and hazardous environments.
John Langford, founder and CEO, Aurora, said: ‘Aurora is building autonomous systems that will enable tomorrow's intelligent aircraft. Whether it is protecting USMC in combat or providing accessible urban transportation, autonomy is the key to the future of aerospace.’
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