Article Posted on : - Aug 16, 2013

Sikorsky Autonomous Research Aircraft. A Sikorsky photo

WASHINGTON, MARYLAND (BNS): Sikorsky Aircraft has unveiled a major research programme - designated Matrix Technology - to develop, test and field systems and software that will improve significantly the capability of flight for autonomous, optionally piloted, and piloted vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft.

In collaboration with the United Technologies Research Centre, Matrix Technology aims to give both rotary and fixed wing VTOL aircraft a high level of system intelligence needed to complete complex missions with minimal human oversight, and at low altitudes where obstacles abound.

For its autonomy initiative, Sikorsky Innovations has acquired and outfitted an S-76 commercial helicopter with fly-by-wire controls to act as a flying lab.

Called the Sikorsky Autonomous Research Aircraft (S.A.R.A.), it will enable rapid flight testing of software and hardware, including multi-spectral sensors, previously integrated in the systems integration labs at Sikorsky's Stratford, Conn., headquarters.

When not in flight, S.A.R.A. can be configured as its own simulator to develop and test autonomy software and hardware.

The S.A.R.A. aircraft performed its first autonomy flight with Matrix Technology July 26. For the early flight test work, a safety pilot will remain aboard the aircraft. Through the end of 2014, the programme has set rigorous key performance parameters (KPPs) that will test and refine software apps and complex algorithms.

KPPs include demonstrating safe flight in obstacle rich environments, shipboard and brownout condition landings, and cargo transport using an optionally piloted fly-by-wire BLACK HAWK helicopter.

While the aviation industry measures loss rates for current unmanned aircraft at approximately one per 1,000 flight hours, Sikorsky's Matrix Technology programme aims to improve the unmanned aircraft loss rate to one per 100,000 flight hours.