Black Hawk goes optionally piloted
Sikorsky has embarked on a flight test programme to operate the Black Hawk helicopter in optionally unmanned mode.
Sikorsky is taking an optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) approach to give operators the confidence to fly aircraft safely, reliably and affordably in optimally piloted modes enabling flight with two, one or zero crew.
Chris Van Buiten, vice president, Sikorsky Innovations, said: ‘This technology brings a whole new dimension of safety, reliability and capability to existing and future helicopters and to those who depend on them to complete their missions.'
Follow-on flight testing aims to include envelope expansion throughout the summer leading to fully autonomous flight in 2020.
See more on how Sikorsky is maturing optionally-piloted technology here.
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