EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. – Recently, the 413th Flight Test Squadron’s Futures Flight built and flew their own autonomous unmanned aerial system into the skies east of Duke Field.
The unit, which typically supports customer-based UASs and autonomy, created one of their own with a 3-foot, 1.5-pound Aeroscout S2 remote-controlled aircraft. The team modified the aircraft by adding an autonomous auto pilot program written by Chasen Pridgen, 413th FLTS. Amelia Lobera, 413th FLTS, designed and 3d-printed the radio mount and the GPS modules.
Then, during some remote pilot training, the team watched as Tech. Sgt. David Rasmussen, 413th FLTS, flew the autonomous take-offs and landings.
This build proved Eglin’s small team of testers mastered the UAS system design and integration to the point where they can build, modify and successfully fly an aircraft autonomously in less than 24 hours, according to John Stotts, 413th FLTS.
“The experience gained in this innovation will go on to increase the flight safety of all UAS on the ETTC, by taking the human out of the loop for critical phases of flight,” said John Stott. “This has the added benefit of safeguarding prototype payloads that can cost millions.”