Thu, Jun 25, 2009
System Allows Crew To Fly A Second Remotely-Piloted
Helicopter
Boeing announced Wednesday that the AH-64D Apache Block III
prototype helicopter successfully demonstrated Level IV unmanned
aircraft system (UAS) connectivity on June 8 during a flight test
over the Arizona desert.
Level IV UAS connectivity is one of the key technology
enhancements being developed for the U.S. Army's Apache Block III
attack helicopter program. At this level, the Apache crew is able
to fully control the navigation of an assigned UAS. The capability
provides enhanced situational awareness and over-the-horizon,
beyond line-of-sight reconnaissance, improving survivability for
the crew and the aircraft. Level I connectivity is receipt and
transmission of secondary imagery or data, Level II is receipt of
imagery or data directly from the UAS and Level III is control of
the UAS payload.
During the test, the Apache proved capable of controlling the
UAS via a Tactical Common Data Link connection. The Apache crew
received real-time video from the UAS, controlled the UAS's three
navigation-loiter patterns -- orbit, racetrack and figure eight --
and altered the UAS's airspeed and altitude.
For this demonstration, Boeing, under Army direction, used a
Boeing AH-6 helicopter as a surrogate for Sky Warrior, the Extended
Range/Multi-Purpose UAS that is not yet available.
"Integration of UAS control is a key technology for the Apache
Block III helicopter as we prepare for the limited user test
scheduled for later this year," said Scott Rudy, Boeing Apache
Block III program manager. "The members of Team Apache -- the U.S.
Army, Boeing and our industry partners -- are proud to have
achieved this critical capability."
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