Skydweller Aero is continuing its Autonomous Maritime Patrol Aircraft (AMPA) flight tests of the Skydweller unmanned aerial system (UAS) as it explores the potential of autonomous aircraft and the advantages it could bring to different applications.
“Skydweller is equipped with a variety of sensor systems and is conducting flight tests out of Stennis International Airport in preparation for operations during 2025,” said Dr. Robert Miller, CEO and Co-Founder of Skydweller Aero. “The resilience and robust design of our aircraft allow us to operate a multi-INT sensor suite of payloads throughout the winter, and we expect to conduct multi-day demonstrations in early 2025 over operationally relevant areas.”
The flights are building upon Skydweller’s successful autonomous flights, which were conducted in later summer and autumn this year. In spite of the challenging Gulf Coast weather, including two hurricans, the company completed six flights between 22nd August and 22nd September, four of which were fully autonomous.
“The aircraft maintained an impressive operational tempo, flying on average one mission every five days,” Dr. Miller explained. “This performance showcases the reliability and ease of maintenance of our platform.”
Operating amid peak Atlantic hurricane season, Skydweller’s Flight Operations, Weather Scientists, and Ground Support teams worked together to fine tune the aircraft’s autonomous capabilities, ensuring a rapid response to shifting weather conditions.
“Flying in close proximity to Mississippi thunderstorms allowed us to test and enhance our weather-avoidance systems. Skydweller’s ability to navigate these conditions highlights its operational value, especially in tropical regions during hurricane and typhoon seasons,” Dr. Miller added. “This ability to navigate around dynamic weather patterns is vital for missions that require flight in challenging environments; avoiding sudden thunderstorms is similar to evading air defenses.
“And unlike many other uncrewed aircraft, we are not limited to clear-sky operations in controlled environments, like the Arizona or New Mexico deserts, but will operate in operationally relevant theaters.”
The Skydwerller’s design, payload capacity and substantial power output for mission-critical systems allows Skydweller to undertake extreme duration across diverse and challenging conditions.
“Skydweller’s capabilities have been consistently validated through rigorous flight testing, achieving significant milestones without any safety incidents,” said Barry Matsumori, President and COO of Skydweller Aero. “By leveraging our team’s deep expertise in aeroelastics, flight control systems, mission systems, and autonomy, we are developing what we believe to be the world’s first operationally viable perpetual flight platform—designed to serve the needs of both government and commercial markets.”
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