U.S. Marines recently landed Kaman K-MAX and MD Helicopters MH-6 Little Bird helicopters autonomously using an iPad-like mini-tablet device during a demonstration at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., Navy and Corps officials said.
“With one touch of a mini-tablet in their hand, they have been able to autonomously land a full-size helicopter onto an unprepared landing site,” said Rear Adm. Matthew Klunder, Chief of Naval Research. The technology, called Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System or AACUS, uses advanced algorithms in conjunction with LIDAR and electro-optical/infrared, or EO/IR, sensor technology, Klunder explained.
“It’s got a combination of EO/IR and LIDAR built into the system connected to a light computer that allows the helicopter to land properly,” he said.
For the complete story by Kris Osborn of Military.com, click here.
