Honeywell and Near Earth Autonomy have achieved a breakthrough by completing the first autonomous flight of a Leonardo AW139 helicopter in support of the U.S. Marine Corps Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) program. This milestone demonstrates the potential of uncrewed aircraft to perform logistics missions autonomously in contested environments, without a pilot on board or remote control.
The test, carried out in May in Phoenix, Arizona, saw Honeywell’s AW139 autonomously controlled by Near Earth’s onboard autonomy software, successfully managing key autopilot functions without human input and showcasing precise, independent flight control.
The ALC program, developed through a Naval Aviation Systems Consortium OTA, is designed to field autonomous aerial logistics solutions that minimize risk to personnel and enhance operational efficiency. Future tests will further develop capabilities such as automatic obstacle avoidance and seamless integration with logistics networks for rapid, safe resupply in combat zones.
Honeywell and Near Earth Autonomy aim to deliver a cost-effective, scalable autonomy solution ready for certification and broad operational use. Honeywell’s expertise in critical aviation systems positions the company to support both existing platforms and the next generation of uncrewed, autonomous aircraft.
