U.S. Air Force Launches Remote Piloting Feasibility Study

The U.S. Air Force has commissioned Reliable Robotics to look into how flight automation technology might allow large military transport aircraft to be remotely piloted for cargo operations. Under a contract announced on February 8, the company will prepare a feasibility study for the application of full and limited automation features on multiple aircraft.

The Air Force is looking at ways to increase the pace and frequency of its missions worldwide and is interested in leveraging technology now being developed for commercial aircraft. The California-based company is working to achieve FAA approval to convert existing utility aircraft, such as Textron's Cessna Caravan, to operate with its autopilot engaged in all phases of flight, including taxi, takeoff, cruise, and landing.

According to Reliable Robotics, its technology will deliver more precise navigation than is available in current piloted flight decks, as well as sophisticated flight-planning capabilities and robust controls for managing operations. It claims that remotely piloted flights will reduce common causes of fatal accidents, such as controlled flight into terrain and loss of control.

"We are interested in Reliable Robotics not only for their effectiveness in supporting the warfighter in contested logistics but also for their novel approach to outfitting legacy aircraft with cutting-edge automation kits," commented USAF Colonel Sean McClune. "This is of great value to the U.S. government because it will help solve the demand for short- to medium-range point-to-point logistics without the need to manufacture new aircraft, which will ensure critical logistics are available at speed and scale to all regions of the country."

The project will be conducted in partnership with the USAF's Headquarters Air Force Mobility Functional Integration Team. It will consider how the new capability might plug gaps in logistics operations for the Air Force's role in the Joint Warfighting Concept. The service operates high-capacity transport aircraft, including the C-17 Globemaster and the C-5 Super Galaxy.

There is potential for other branches of the military to adopt increased automation in their fleets, according to David O'Brien, Reliable Robotics' senior vice president of government solutions and a retired USAF major general. "This is an extension of work that Reliable Robotics has been doing with the USAF already and we expect these activities to continue," he told FutureFlight. "The value this brings to Air Force commanders is greater mission utility, and higher tempos at a lower operational footprint."

In August 2022, the FAA confirmed acceptance of the certification basis for the advanced navigation and autoflight system on which Reliable Robotics' remotely operated system is based. Under its own Part 135 operator's certificate, the company has been testing the technology with a pilot on cargo flights in the Albuquerque, New Mexico area.

Then in December, Reliable Robotics announced a partnership with Europe-based airlines group ASL Aviation Holdings to explore prospects for introducing remotely operated aircraft to its fleet. Initially, the companies aim to select twin-turboprop freighters for conversion.