Electronic Weapons: A Smarter Helicopter Autopilot

Archives

July 25, 2010:  An American helicopter manufacturer (Sikorsky) has developed a new capability for flight control systems. This system  (AFF, or Autonomous Formation Flying) uses a camera and new software that enables a helicopter to automatically fly in formation with other helicopters. Such formation flying requires a lot of effort by the pilots, and the AFF can handle most of the work required, reducing pilot fatigue (which is the cause of many accidents). The AFF has been successfully tested, and will probably take a year or so of additional testing before it enters service.

 

 

 

X

ad

Help Keep Us From Drying Up

We need your help! Our subscription base has slowly been dwindling.

Each month we count on your contribute. You can support us in the following ways:

  1. Make sure you spread the word about us. Two ways to do that are to like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
  2. Subscribe to our daily newsletter. We’ll send the news to your email box, and you don’t have to come to the site unless you want to read columns or see photos.
  3. You can contribute to the health of StrategyPage.
Subscribe   contribute   Close