FlightGlobal
• Murdo Morrison
Jeppesen ForeFlight says its agentic AI platform takes a different approach, pairing aviation-specific applications with a human touch. Brad Surak describes AI as “over-hyped,” underscoring the company’s effort to distinguish its offering from broader claims about the technology.
AI
Latest source-backed stories
Sikorsky’s planned UH-60 upgrade suite includes new engines, greater range, launched effects and expanded autonomy, alongside the uncrewed U-Hawk. The company’s “Black Hawk 2070” strategy calls for the pilotless aircraft to fly this year, extending the platform’s role beyond crewed helicopter operations.
Jeppesen ForeFlight says its agentic AI platform takes a different approach, pairing aviation-specific applications with a human touch. Brad Surak describes AI as “over-hyped,” underscoring the company’s effort to distinguish its offering from broader claims about the technology.
The Navy awarded a $150 million modification to its agreement with Shield AI for the X-BAT, a vertical-takeoff-and-landing tactical aircraft designed to operate autonomously without a runway. The award brings total Navy and private investment in the program to $400 million.
The Defense Innovation Unit is recruiting service members experienced in first-person-view drone operations for an upcoming competition under the Defense Department’s Drone Dominance program. DIU plans to assemble about 100 pilots from across the military services and establish a standing registry of operators.
The U.S. Navy tested autonomy integration with General Atomics’ MQ-20 drone, including elements that can modify a mission plan in real time. The test points to work on how adaptive autonomy can be incorporated into unmanned aircraft missions.
High activity
Airbus UpNext has concluded a three-year autonomous-taxi research program after 30 hours of A350 testing, including trials at Paris Charles de Gaulle. Separately, Joby says its autonomous Cessna Caravan cargo aircraft flew a 3,199-mile route across the U.S. with an onboard safety pilot making no control inputs.
Recent developments span AI-powered wearable systems that detect unfamiliar radio-frequency activity, robotic launch systems for persistent drone operations, and AI-guided guns for countering incoming threats. Separate analysis of Chinese military study of Ukraine and India’s use of loitering munitions underscores how quickly drone tactics and force concepts are evolving.
Create a free account to see more recent AI stories and keep bookmarks in one place.
