Recently the autonomous aerial cargo utility system (AACUS) completed successful demonstrations at Marine Corps Base Quantico. The AACUS was inspired by Marine Corps’ experiences in Afghanistan and Iraq, where helicopters on resupply missions frequently would encounter improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and enemy fire. As the result of a $98 million dollar and a five-year program, the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and Aurora Flight Systems developed an autonomous flight system that could be retrofitted to existing helicopters.
Member-Only Content
Join the U.S. Naval Institute to gain access to this article and other articles published in Proceedings since 1874. Members receive this valuable benefit and so much more.