Beacon AI Books Contract to Upgrade AI Copilot for Special Operations Command

California-based aviation software company Beacon AI has announced a Phase 2 prototype other transaction authority agreement from the U.S. Special Operations Command to enhance its artificial intelligence copilot assistant.

The upgrades will optimize aircraft operations and improve route selection, Beacon said Thursday.

The assistant is intended to support situational awareness and mission execution by providing pilots with real-time insights and predictive analytics to make better decisions.

Beacon said it would work on strengthening the assistant’s ability to suggest optimal routes based on aircraft, weather and user-specific requirements. 

The company noted that the assistant could identify fuel-efficient routes to reduce fuel consumption. According to Beacon, the Department of Defense and the aviation industry consume nearly 100 billion gallons of fuel combined.

News of the SOCOM contract comes after the company secured a $1.3 million Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contract from the U.S. Air Force’s innovation arm to upgrade an AI copilot assistant for tanker and mobility aircraft. Beacon’s efforts are expected to automate processes in flight decks.