U.S. Navy Demonstrates Drone Landing on Moving Ships Without GPS or Human Pilot
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- InterestingEngineering.com
The U.S. Navy has successfully tested a drone landing on moving ships without relying on GPS or human pilots. The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) showcased this capability using onboard cameras, motion sensors, and advanced software, marking a significant advancement in drone technology.
This innovation is crucial for operations in contested environments where satellite signals may be compromised. NAWCAD's new software-based approach allows drones to autonomously identify ship shapes and features, enabling precise landings despite the ship's movement due to waves. Rear Adm. Todd Evans emphasized the strategic advantage this autonomy provides to Navy personnel in challenging scenarios.
Looking ahead, NAWCAD plans to expand this technology to larger uncrewed aircraft and integrate it into various Navy programs, including the Small Tactical Unmanned Aircraft Systems and Collaborative Combat Aircraft initiatives. The potential for software upgrades to enhance existing drones could streamline operations and reduce costs associated with additional hardware installations.
Original report
US Navy tests drone that lands on moving ships without GPS, human pilot
InterestingEngineering.com · Sujita SinhaThis briefing is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting and is provided for industry information and news discovery. The original report and source publication are credited and linked where applicable. RobotToday does not claim ownership of third-party source material.
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