Autonomous Flight

The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi manufacturer in the future will look to integrate autonomy onto its flagship aircraft.

Company engineers observed pilots as they performed a variety of tasks, collecting data to identify where automation can be most helpful.

The manufacturer in December made the world’s first commercial eVTOL demonstration flight in China and has obtained type, production, and airworthiness approvals.

The X-62A VISTA, a modified F-16 testbed aircraft, is helping the Air Force explore artificial intelligence applications in combat aircraft.

The company has a partnership with U.S.-based Spright, the drone delivery subsidiary of Air Methods, to deploy its Eiger drone worldwide.

The Air Force is building an army of artificial intelligence-powered warfighters, each of which will command a fleet of small, buzzing drones.

The aircraft, on display last month at Heli-Expo in Anaheim, California, will continue its North American tour with appearances in San Diego and Montréal.

The National Aeronautic Association has named four finalists for the 2023 Collier Trophy. The winner will be selected in March in Washington, D.C.

The Boston-based company says the approval puts it on a viable path to certification and commercial operations for Merlin Pilot, its flagship autonomous flight system.

Xwing and fellow autonomous flight provider Reliable Robotics are now among a handful of emerging aviation firms with military airworthiness approvals.