Unmanned aerial vehicles are called the future of military aviation. In addition, it is expected to minimize the risk of human pilots when performing dangerous missions or tasks. In fact, unmanned aerial vehicles are already in operation, but the US Air Force is currently testing robots that can control existing aircraft.
The US Air Force Research Institute developed the Robotic Pilot Unmanned Conversion Program (ROBOpilot) in partnership with DZYNE Technologies Incorporated for the purpose of unmanning any aircraft. Of course, it was said to be a robot, but it has hands and feet attached to it, and it does not look like a person will get on and off the aircraft at will. It feels like a machine that removes the seat and installs it in the cockpit.
Robopilot uses actuators, sensors, robotic arms and even power systems. In addition to operating the aircraft control compartment, you can press ladders and brake pedals, adjust throttles, change dashboard switches, and more. At first glance, it feels analog, but it is necessary to conduct legal flight in accordance with Federal Aviation Administration guidelines that human pilots had to follow. The RoboPilot can also be equipped with a camera system to monitor numerous dials and gauges on the aircraft dashboard.
The robot pilot is completely in the cockpit and assimilation. However, the unmanned aircraft upgrade method is simple to install or remove, so it can be reverted back to human control. After a year of testing using a flight simulator, RoboPilot took off a small Cessna plane at a test site in Utah, USA on August 9, and succeeded in a two-hour flight without human control to search for a specific route and land.
However, this does not mean that it can be used immediately for missions. Hundreds of hours of testing are still required for the Robopilot to gain the trust of the US Air Force. However, if the robopilot is fully operational, the lifespan of the US Air Force’s mass aircraft could be extended. Related information can be found here .