WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.,
June 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- A
technology kit developed by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company
(NYSE: LMT), was used for the first time to operate a Black Hawk
helicopter with full-authority, fly-by-wire flight controls. The
May 29 flight marked the official
start to the flight test program for the soon-to-be optionally
piloted aircraft. Follow-on flight testing aims to include envelope
expansion throughout the summer leading to fully autonomous flight
(zero pilots) in 2020.
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"This technology brings a whole new dimension of safety,
reliability and capability to existing and future helicopters and
to those who depend on them to complete their missions," said
Chris Van Buiten, Vice President,
Sikorsky Innovations. "We're excited to be transforming a once
mechanically controlled aircraft into one with fly-by-wire
controls. This flight demonstrates the next step in making
optionally piloted – and optimally piloted – aircraft, a
reality."
This is the first full authority fly-by-wire retrofit kit
developed by Sikorsky that has completely removed mechanical flight
controls from the aircraft.
Through DARPA's Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System
(ALIAS) program, Sikorsky is developing an OPV approach it
describes as pilot directed autonomy to give operators the
confidence to fly aircraft safely, reliably and affordably in
optimally piloted modes enabling flight with two, one or zero crew.
The program aims to improve operator decision aiding for manned
operations while also enabling both unmanned and reduced crew
operations.
Sikorsky has been demonstrating its MATRIX™ Technology on a
modified S-76B™ called the Sikorsky Autonomy Research Aircraft
(SARA). The aircraft, which has been in test since 2013, has more
than 300 hours of autonomous flight.
Sikorsky announced in March that its S-92® helicopter
fleet update will include the introduction of phase one
MATRIX Technology that will bring advanced computing power to
the platform. This foundation enables adoption of autonomous
landing technology.
For more information about Sikorsky MATRIX Technology, which won
an Edison award in 2018,
visit https://lockheedmartin.com/en-us/products/sikorsky-matrix-technology.html.
About Lockheed Martin
Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a
global security and aerospace company that employs approximately
105,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the
research, design, development, manufacture, integration and
sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and
services.
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SOURCE Lockheed Martin