Boeing completed its first fully automated approach and landing with a CH-47F Chinook helicopter during recent flight tests of new autonomous flight software developed for the United States Army.
During the test, the helicopter used Boeing’s Approach-to-X (A2X) technology alongside an upgraded Digital Automated Flight Control System (DAFCS) to land with all four wheels on the runway without pilot interaction.
The company said the system has completed more than 150 approaches since its first flight on a U.S. Army CH-47F in January. Tests included final altitudes ranging from a 100-ft hover to full landings, with an average final positioning error of less than five feet.
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Under the system, pilots select a landing zone, final altitude, approach angle and starting speed, while the software controls the aircraft during the approach. Pilots can still adjust the flight path or glide slope if operational conditions change.
“We built the interface and control laws around how pilots would naturally fly an approach,” said Deanna DiBernardi, H-47 Human Factors Engineering lead. “Our goal is to reduce pilot workload so crews can maintain more eyes-out awareness in a tactical situation.”
Boeing said the software was designed to reduce pilot workload during tactical operations by allowing crews to spend more time monitoring their surroundings rather than managing the landing sequence.
The company plans additional flight testing before delivering a final software version to the U.S. Army for potential fleet integration.
Sikorksy has been developing similar technology with the UH-60 Black Hawk multipurpose helicopter, which is also being evaluated by the Army. The company already offers an unmanned version capable of carrying more paid cargo.
