Funds Phase III Research For Cockpit Automation System

DARPA has awarded a contract valued at more than $35.7 million to Sikorsky for continued research and development of the Aircrew Labor In-cockpit Automation System (ALIAS) program. The award is a prototype agreement for Phase III of the program.

The goal of the ALIAS program is to create an easily installable/removable kit that is extensible across 80 percent of Department of Defense aircraft and some commercial aircraft, which automates co-piloting functions to enable reduced crew operations. Phase III focuses on the fabrication and installation of the prototype ALIAS kits on multiple aircraft types for flight demonstrations of each.

According to DARPA, ALIAS aims to support execution of an entire mission from takeoff to landing, even in the face of contingency events such as aircraft system failures. ALIAS system attributes, such as persistent-state monitoring and rapid recall of flight procedures, would further enhance flight safety. Easy-to-use touch and voice interfaces would facilitate supervisor-ALIAS interaction. ALIAS would also provide a platform for integrating additional automation or autonomy capabilities tailored for specific missions.

The estimated government funding for the agreement is $21,300,000, and the Sikorsky cost share is $14,408,378.

Work will be performed by multiple Sikorsky facilities, but 93 percent of the work will be conducted in Stratford, CT.

The estimated completion date is February 2018. Fiscal 2016 and 2017 research and development funds in the amount of $3,004,285 are being obligated at time of award, according to the Department of Defense.

(Source: DOD Contract Award website)

FMI: www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/1037823