Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Gremlins UAV Demonstrates First Mid-Air Recovery
After a series of unsuccessful attempts, DARPA’s Gremlins recoverable UAV program has launched and snagged an X-61A air vehicle in flight.
An X-61A successfully engages the "bullet" capture device. Once engaged, the air vehicle is winched up into the trapeze before being lifted back aboard the Hercules carrier by the docking arm.  (Photo: DARPA)
An X-61A successfully engages the "bullet" capture device. Once engaged, the air vehicle is winched up into the trapeze before being lifted back aboard the Hercules carrier by the docking arm. (Photo: DARPA)

During an October 29 trial at the Dugway Proving Ground in Utah, a Lockheed C-130A Hercules aircraft launched and recovered an X-61A Gremlins Air Vehicle (GAV) in flight for the first time. The feat is an important milestone for the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Gremlins program, which is exploring the concept of using large aircraft as launch platforms for recoverable swarming unmanned air vehicles.