Beacon AI Awarded AFWERX SBIR Contract for AI-Enabled Flight Deck Automation

Flight safety and efficiency solutions provider Beacon AI announced that it has secured a $1.25 million Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contract from AFWERX to help the U.S. Air Force automate flight decks.

Beacon AI will develop and improve its artificial intelligence-enabled copilot assistant system, which integrates autonomous solutions to flight decks. Specifically, Beacon AI will enhance existing and future capabilities that would help automate critical flight phases and introduce new features for the Air Force’s tanker and mobility aircraft.

Work under the SBIR contract is designed to improve safety, efficiency and mission execution, Beacon AI said.

Efforts across the U.S. military and commercial sector indicate the possibility for autonomous aircraft operations.

In October, Reliable Robotics published its analysis on automating the Air Force’s large aircraft fleet. According to Reliable Robotics, large aircraft can accommodate its Remotely Operated Aircraft System with minor adjustments, thereby improving efficiency and operational flexibility while adhering to government standards.

In August, researchers from NASA’s Advanced Air Mobility mission partnered with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency and Sikorsky to develop software for safe automated flights carrying cargo and personnel.