Dependable Robotics, a pacesetter in autonomous plane programs, as we speak introduced it was authorised to take part within the 2024 AFWERX Tactical Funding Enhance (TACFI) program for the US Division of the Air Drive (USAF). TACFI is designed to “bridge the aptitude hole” between present Small Enterprise Innovation Analysis (SBIR) efforts to facilitate the supply of strategic capabilities for the Division of the Air Drive. Dependable was competitively chosen for award from a big record of suppliers in the course of the funding analysis.
“The TACFI Program is a invaluable funding mechanism to bolster SBIR tasks and its software to autonomy growth unlocks important product acceleration, maturation and demonstration of operationally related mission units,” stated Lt Col Bryan Ralston, Autonomy Prime Department Chief. “Autonomy is a key enabler for future navy tactical air dominance and ahead basing operations.”
TACFI choice and Dependable’s follow-on Section III SBIR contract each lengthen and proceed Dependable’s earlier Section II contract. These contract efforts will additional Dependable’s ongoing collaboration with the Air Drive Analysis Laboratory (AFRL) and AFWERX which incorporates:
- Demonstration of versatile distant piloting capabilities at McClellan Airfield in the course of the current AGILE FLAG train
- Army Airworthiness approval for autonomous flight testing and operational missions of Dependable’s Cessna 208 Caravan for the U.S. Air Drive
- A massive plane automation examine to adapt Dependable’s autonomous flight system for airframes such because the KC-135
- Demonstration of autonomous flight at Travis Air Drive base for distinguished navy personnel as a part of the Golden Phoenix train
- Completion of Section I and Section II SBIR contracts
“TACFI funding is a crucial milestone signifying our autonomous flight system is transferring ahead towards operational implementation,“ stated Dr. David O’Brien, Main Basic (Ret.), and Senior Vice President of Authorities Options at Dependable Robotics. “Dependable is laser-focused on U.S. management in aviation and delivering the Air Drive unmatched automation capabilities for a number of plane sorts inside current stock, in diminished crew, and crewless modes to defeat any menace, at any time, wherever on earth.”
Dependable’s Twin-use Autonomous Flight System
Dependable Robotics has developed a dual-use resolution to transform current industrial airframes such because the Cessna 208B Caravan with autonomous flight programs, which might be configured for logistics and protection functions. Automated plane, particularly cargo plane, present mission-critical alternatives that may enhance plane utilization, operational vary, and save navy lives, whereas bettering the pilot pipeline, and facilitating new working ideas that would improve survivability in contested airspace. The USAF and different navy branches will be capable to benefit from autonomy at fractional pricing in comparison with expertise developed completely for the navy.
Dependable’s certification progress of a full plane automation system is unparalleled with FAA acceptance of its certification plan in June 2023, and all necessities for the superior plane navigation and autopilot programs agreed upon in February 2024. Dependable and the FAA have additionally established settlement on the testing and evaluation that shall be carried out to indicate that these extremely automated programs fulfill FAA security and efficiency necessities. With FAA approval, Dependable Robotics demonstrated operation of two completely different plane sorts in civilian airspace with no pilot onboard in 2019 and 2023.
About Dependable Robotics
Dependable Robotics launched in 2017 to deliver secure, licensed automation programs to industrial aviation. The corporate’s system allows distant operation of any plane kind. Dependable’s imaginative and prescient is to rework the best way we transfer items and folks across the planet with safer, extra handy and extra reasonably priced air transportation. The corporate is headquartered in Mountain View, CA and has a distributed world workforce.
Be taught extra and see job openings at https://dependable.co
