Nichols Martin
The U.S. Air Force has conducted the first automated landing of the General Atomics-made MQ-9 Reaper remotely piloted aircraft’s Block 5 configuration.
The aircraft is equipped with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.‘s Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability that works to increase safety; boost aircrew efficiency; and support cross wind operations and divert field landing, the company said Monday.
General Atomics is working to have the system ready for deployment by fall of 2019.
“Adding this level of automation will reduce the deployment burden of the warfighter and expand the scope of missions that can be flown by Air Force MQ-9s,” said David Alexander, president for aircraft systems at GA-ASI.
