Reliable Robotics has signed a $17.4 million contract with the United States Air Force to supply automated aircraft as part of a program focused on autonomous cargo logistics. Under the agreement, the company will integrate and test its Reliable Autonomy System (RAS) on a Cessna 208B aircraft.
The RAS is designed to automate all phases of flight, including taxi, takeoff, enroute operations, and landing. According to the company, the system is compatible with multiple aircraft types and incorporates redundant systems and advanced navigation technology. Reliable Robotics describes the technology as capable of operating in both civil and military airspace.
This contract extends previous collaborations between Reliable Robotics and the Air Force on the application of autonomous systems for aviation. Earlier projects have included work on the Cessna 208B Caravan and KC-135 Stratotanker, as well as contributions to the Autonomy Government Reference Architecture (A-GRA), a framework being developed by the Air Force for multi-platform and multi-mission use.
Company executives said the project supports efforts to apply dual-use autonomy to increase efficiency and safety in military aviation. Retired General Mike Minihan, former commander of Air Mobility Command, said autonomous systems could expand logistics capabilities by enabling access to a broader range of locations.
Reliable Robotics, headquartered in Mountain View, California, develops FAA-certifiable automation systems for both commercial and defense applications.
