Thu, Jul 22, 2010
AFF System Will Automate "Routine" Formation Flight
The first flight of the Sikorsky Autonomous Formation Flying
(AFF) system was carried out on June 4 by Sikorsky Innovations, the
company announced Tuesday at the Farnborough International Air
Show.
The demonstration used the Sikorsky AFF system implemented on
the U.S. Army Aeroflightdynamics Directorate's (AFDD) JUH-60A
RASCAL(TM) aircraft, flying in formation with an unmodified EH-60L
aircraft. The AFF Project is aimed to reduce a helicopter pilot's
workload by automating routine formation flight. The AFF system
will allow a pilot to designate a lead aircraft and engage the
system to maintain flight at a specified relative position.
"The AFF control system is the first in a series of
demonstrations showcasing Sikorsky Aircraft's competence in
autonomy," said Mark Miller, Vice President of Engineering. "This
is the first in a series of planned technology demonstrations that
highlight our capabilities in key areas to promote autonomous
flight, including, sensing, control, and system integration."
The AFF system demonstrated is completely passive, as it uses a
single visual range camera and requires no modifications in the
lead aircraft, thus placing no special requirements on the
aircraft. It can be used to follow an unmodified Black Hawk
helicopter or modified to follow another type of helicopter.
Sikorsky says the AFF control system is another example of new
capabilities enabled by fly-by-wire technology (FBW), and is
another in a series of demonstrations that highlight the importance
of FBW and the new capabilities it brings to the customer.
More News
Hold Procedure A predetermined maneuver which keeps aircraft within a specified airspace while awaiting further clearance from air traffic control. Also used during ground operatio>[...]
Altitude Readout An aircraft’s altitude, transmitted via the Mode C transponder feature, that is visually displayed in 100-foot increments on a radar scope having readout cap>[...]
Aero Linx: European Hang Gliding and Paragliding Union (EHPU) The general aim of the EHPU is to promote and protect hang gliding and paragliding in Europe. In order to achieve this>[...]
Also: Skydio Chief, Uncle Sam Sues, Dash 7 magniX, OR UAS Accelerator US Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall was given a turn around the patch in the 'X-62A Variable In-flight>[...]
"The need for innovation at speed and scale is greater than ever. The X-62A VISTA is a crucial platform in our efforts to develop, test and integrate AI, as well as to establish AI>[...]