Airbus UpNext, a wholly owned subsidiary of Airbus, has begun testing new ground and in-flight pilot assistance technologies on an A350-1000 test aircraft.
Known as DragonFly, the technologies being demonstrated include automatic emergency diversion in cruise mode, automatic landing and taxi assist, and are aimed at assessing the feasibility and relevance of further exploration of autonomous flight systems in support of larger operations. safer and more efficient.
Airbus UpNext
"These tests are one of several steps in the methodical research of technologies to further improve operations and safety," said Isabelle Lacaze, responsible for the DragonFly demonstrator, Airbus UpNext. "Inspired by biomimicry, the systems tested were designed to identify features in the landscape that would allow an aircraft to 'see' and move safely autonomously through its environment, in the same way that dragonflies have the ability to recognize landmarks .”
During the flight test campaign, the technologies were able to assist pilots in flight by managing a simulated crew member incapacitation event, as well as during landing and taxiing operations. By taking into account external factors such as flight areas, terrain and weather conditions, the aircraft was able to generate a new flight path plan and communicate with both Air Traffic Control (ATC) and the Air Traffic Control Center. Airline operations.
Airbus UpNext also explored taxi-assist features, which were tested in real-time conditions at Toulouse-Blagnac Airport. The technology provides the crew with audio alerts in response to obstacles, assisted cruise control and guidance to the runway using a dedicated airport map.
In addition to these capabilities, Airbus UpNext is launching a project to prepare the next generation of computer image-based algorithms to improve landing and taxiing assistance. These tests were made possible through cooperation with Airbus subsidiaries and external partners including Cobham, Collins Aerospace, Honeywell, Onera and Thales. DragonFly was partially funded by the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) under the French Stimulus plan, which is part of the European Plan, Next Generation EU and the France 2030 plan.