Thu, Nov 02, 2017
Aircraft Developed By Aurora Flight Sciences
The FAA has granted a Special Airworthiness Certificate to the newest optionally-piloted aircraft developed by Aurora Flight Sciences, a UH-1H helicopter. The latest development in the Office of Naval Research's (ONR) Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (AACUS) program, Aurora has added a complete digital flight control system to create the "Autonomy-enabled UH-1," or AEH-1.
The UH-1, originally developed in the late 1950s and made famous by its role in the Vietnam War, was chosen by Aurora for its latest conversion to a robotic vehicle. The Aurora UH-1H, a later version of the UH-1 built in 1977, was initially certified under FAA Order 8130.2, which covers "inhabited" experimental aircraft such as homebuilt and other developmental aircraft.
The latest certification under FAA Order 8130.34 permits Optionally-Piloted Aircraft (OPA) operation with only a Safety Pilot required to monitor the controls. "The Special Airworthiness Certificate is a significant validation of the program's capabilities by the FAA," said John Langford, Aurora Chairman and CEO. "The OPA technology not only enhances the UH-1H system but will expand the operational capability of the mission in the field."
By focusing on safety and maturity in the digital flight control system, the AEH-1 permits the rapid development and test of emerging rotorcraft autonomy technologies. The aircraft is currently flying as the testbed for Aurora's Tactical Autonomous Aerial Logistics System (TALOS) technology. The UH-1H is the third manned aircraft Aurora has converted to robotic-controlled or OPA operation. Other conversions include a Diamond DA42 and a Cessna C208 Caravan.
(Image provided with Aurora Flight Sciences news release)
More News
Aero Linx: JAARS Nearly 1.5 billion people, using more than 5,500 languages, do not have a full Bible in their first language. Many of these people live in the most remote parts of>[...]
'Airplane Bounced Twice On The Grass Runway, Resulting In The Nose Wheel Separating From The Airplane...' Analysis: The pilot reported, “upon touchdown, the plane jumped back>[...]
"Burt is best known to the public for his historic designs of SpaceShipOne, Voyager, and GlobalFlyer, but for EAA members and aviation aficionados, his unique concepts began more t>[...]
"Polaris Dawn, the first of the program’s three human spaceflight missions, is targeted to launch to orbit no earlier than summer 2024. During the five-day mission, the crew >[...]
There Are SO Many Ways To Get YOUR Aero-News! It’s been a while since we have reminded everyone about all the ways we offer your daily dose of aviation news on-the-go...so he>[...]
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (05.04.24)
See All