MQ-9 UAV Successfully Completed First-Ever Automated Landing

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The US Air Force has been moving towards an increased UAV flight automation, with the completion of the first-ever automated landing of an MQ-9 Block 5 UAV, followed by the first auto-takeoff on August 9.

The new Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC) was developed by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) to enhance mission capability.

“This new.. capability greatly increases the autonomy, flexibility, combat effectiveness and safety of the MQ-9 Reaper for the USAF,” said David R. Alexander, president, Aircraft Systems, GA-ASI. “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.”

By automating the takeoff and landing of the UAV, the new ATLC capability helps to increase the safety and efficiency of the aircrews, according to the company’s announcement. The auto launch and recovery during these critical phases of UAV flight also enlarges the operational envelope for crosswind operations and can be used in all weather conditions within the operational constraints of the aircraft.

The ATLC development program remains on track for fielding in the fall of 2019.

The upgraded MQ-9 will join several other GA-ASI aircraft with the automated landing and takeoff capability, including the US Army operated Gray Eagle and Gray Eagle ERs, Customs and Border Protection MQ-9 Block 1 and MQ-9B SkyGuardian, as reported by flightglobal.com.

“It has been proven that automating the process of take-off and landing reduces the possibility of human error,” said Rob Walker, the company’s senior director of marketing. “Statistically, the majority of aircraft mishaps occur during take-off or landing, so automating this process eases operations for pilots.”