U.S. Army Flight Tests Optionally Piloted Helicopter | Aviation International News

U.S. Army Flight Tests Optionally Piloted Helicopter

U.S. Army pilots have flown Sikorsky's SARA testbed, which incorporates autonomous systems that provide optionally and optimalley piloted control

The SARA testbed is seen during a flight from Sikorsky's main test facility at West Palm Beach, Florida. (photo: Sikorsky)

November 4, 2018

The U.S. Army has flight-tested the Sikorsky Autonomy Research Aircraft (SARA), a Sikorsky S-76B modified as an optionally piloted vehicle (OPV) demonstrator. This marked the first time that non-Sikorsky pilots had operated the SARA as an OPV aircraft. For the Army’s mission software flight demonstration, the SARA aircraft was controlled from the ground and was also "flown" by onboard pilots using a tablet and mouse-like inceptor. The flights were undertaken as part of a collaboration between the U.S. Army’s Aviation Development Directorate, Sikorsky, and DARPA (the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency).

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background. The rest of this article continues for AIN Members with the full report, analysis and background.

Become a Member

Nepal Relief Efforts Need More Support and Coordination

Local rotorcraft industry leader urges international partners to get involved in crisis

Nepal army helicopter

Boltoukhine Named Head of Airbus Corporate Helicopters

Frederic Lemos departs after serving as CEO of ACH since 2017

Nicolas Boltoukhine

Avincis Orders Five McDermott 214ST Utility Helicopters

Medium twin-engine rotorcraft will supplement European firefighting operations

Artist's impression of Avincis' McDermott 214ST helicopters

Helicopters Play Crucial Role in Himalayan Flood Rescues

Nepal’s army and private operators have deployed rotorcraft across the flood zone

Heli Everest H125 helicopter

U.S. Approves $800M Bell 407/412 Sale to Iraq Military

Pentagon permission facilitates sale of Bell 412EXP and 407M

Bell 407M helicopter

Japan Orders Its First H160 for Emergency Response

Fire and disaster management agency to use aircraft in aerial reconnaissance role

Airbus H160 in flight over sea

Singaporean eVTOL Conducts Test Campaign In Germany

Flights with two scaled technology demonstrators will inform potential future iterations

White evtol mockup on stand at Singapore airshow

FAA Approves TSO for ASU Panoramic Night-vision Goggles

Lightweight white-phosphor NVG have a 94-degree field of view

Aviation Specialties Unlimited E3 PANO night vision goggles