Aerospace
How did DARPA’s Black Hawk fly without a pilot?
You may have witnessed autonomous aircraft flying various objectives, but have you ever seen the American well-known military chopper Black Hawk fly without a pilot? Last February, this helicopter passed through testing with a revolutionary system that allows it to operate without a pilot; it is a breakthrough technology in the twenty-first century produced by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Department, a research and development agency of the United States Department.
The DARPA Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) programme accomplished the first flight of an unmanned UH-60A Black Hawk helicopter. On February 5th, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, performed 30-minutes of unmanned flight with the optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) over the US Army facility at Fort Campbell, Kentucky.
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ALIAS is a modular, extensible automation system for current manned aircraft that enables safe reduced crew operations, allowing high levels of automation to be added to existing aircraft. It also serves as a foundation for the integration of further automation or autonomy capabilities tailored to specific tasks.
The ALIAS programme has taken advantage of significant advancements in aircraft automation systems over the last 50 years, as well as equivalent advancements in remotely piloted aircraft. Pilots must still manage sophisticated interfaces and respond to unforeseen situations in today’s most automated planes.
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ALIAS seeks to assist mission execution from takeoff until landing, including addressing contingency events such as aircraft system breakdowns automatically. Interfaces that are simple to use facilitate supervisor-ALIAS interaction.
It is not new to test autonomous flight in real life; just last year, Airbus tested the A350 aircraft with a complete takeoff, cruise, and landing system that was outstanding.
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This helicopter can be used for rescue missions and other supplies on the battlefield. It will be fascinating to witness similar technologies in the next years.
Tell us in the comments what you think about the self-driving Black Hawk helicopter.
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Aerospace
Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft
Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.
This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.
Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.
Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.
Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.
Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.
Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.
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