:

Advanced / Transformational Technology

AFRL Conducts First Flight Test of Skyborg Autonomy Core System

Frank Wolfe

Wednesday, May 5th, 2021

SHARE:

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…

Congress

Kaine On Iranian Girls School Strike: “You Can Be Sure We’re Gonna Get The Answer To That One”

Sen. Timothy Kaine (D-Va.), the ranking member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) seapower panel, pledged on Tuesday that the Senate will get to the bottom of what happened […]

Congress

‘Right To Repair’ Reform In SASC’s FY ‘27 NDAA Sets “Government-Purpose Rights’ As Default

The “Right to Repair” provision secured in the Senate Armed Services Committee’s (SASC) version of the next defense policy bill would establish “government-purpose rights” as a default, requiring defense contractors […]

Advanced / Transformational Technology

Pentagon May Make ‘Tradeoffs’ For Low-Cost Autonomous Tech Without Reconciliation Funds, CTO Says

The Pentagon’s chief technology officer has said the department may need to make “tradeoffs” on certain capability priorities if Congress doesn’t pass a reconciliation with $350 billion in requested defense […]

Congress

SASC’s FY ‘27 NDAA Sticks With Army’s Plan For Legacy Aviation Procurement Cuts

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s (SASC) version of the next defense policy sticks to the Army’s proposed plan to cut procurement of its legacy aviation fleet, and does not authorize […]