Reliable Robotics to Continue Developing, Testing Autonomous Aircraft Control System Under AFRL Contract

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory has awarded Reliable Robotics a Small Business Innovation Research Phase II contract to design, develop and test autonomous aircraft capabilities on Air Force platforms.

Under the contract, Reliable Robotics will demonstrate its aircraft agnostic solutions and how it could adapt to new airframes. The company will use simulated and real-world threats to test its solutions.

The autonomy solutions are expected to be compatible with various aircraft platforms, Reliable Robotics said Monday.

Ret. Maj. Gen. David O’Brien, senior vice president of government solutions at Reliable Robotics, said the company’s remotely piloted aircraft solution could enable defense agencies to enhance their capabilities and achieve greater mission success in cargo delivery, logistics and surveillance.

Reliable Robotics offers an aircraft automation solution that allows operators to control any type of aircraft and enable safe and convenient transportation. It is headquartered in Mountain View, California.

The company has remotely piloted a Cessna 172 Skyhawk over a populated region without any onboard crew. In 2021, it was able to fly a Cessna 208 Caravan cargo aircraft from a control center over 50 miles away.

Reliable Robotics was named a Collier Trophy finalist in 2021 for its achievements in aeronautics.