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Advanced / Transformational Technology

AFRL Conducts First Flight Test of Skyborg Autonomy Core System

Frank Wolfe

Wednesday, May 5th, 2021

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AFRL Conducts First Flight Test of Skyborg Autonomy Core System

The Skyborg autonomy core system launches aboard a Kratos UTAP-22 tactical unmanned aerial vehicle at Tyndall AFB, Fla. on April 29 (U.S. Air Force Photo)

The Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) conducted a first flight test on Apr. 29th of what is to be the collaboration and autonomy-enabling "brain" of Skyborg--the autonomy core system (ACS)--aboard a Kratos [KTOS] UTAP-22 Mako drone, AFRL said on May 5th. The flight from Tyndall AFB, Fla. lasted two hours and 10 minutes during which the ACS "performed a series of foundational behaviors necessary to characterize safe system operation," AFRL said in a statement. "The ACS demonstrated basic aviation capabilities…

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