The Office of Naval Research (ONR) is funding a program that is developing a new application that can allow marines running on insufficient ammunition to send for robotic helicopters to transport supplies within a short period of time.
The Autonomous Aerial Cargo Utility System (AACUS) has been developed to build control and sensor technologies for robotic take-off and landing aircraft.
Rear Admiral and chief of naval research, Matthew Klunder said that the AACUS is a futuristic technology that enables both the Marine Corps and the Navy to shift beyond the concept of having a trained operator to fly unmanned aircrafts. The program will allow them to leverage autonomy yet maintain the key role of human operators as supervisors. Marines based in the field or outpost can send in a request to deploy the autonomous cargo helicopters for quick delivery of ammunition.
Dr. Mary Cummings, program officer for AACUS, stated that in the long run, the technology can become a life saver as its applications will also include important medical missions like casualty evacuation.
Program officials are looking for scientists who can build autonomous landing capabilities and threat- and obstacle-detection and avoidance technologies that can function across varied aircrafts. They anticipate teams from academia and industry to compete for the contracts. Proposals are due on February 22, 2012 and program officials have planned to give two contracts in April 2012.
Source: https://www.nre.navy.mil/