Boeing Co, ST. LOUIS: Boeing and The Insitu Group recently demonstrated new autonomy software aboard ScanEagle, a long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). The software, imbedded in ScanEagle's auxiliary processor board, allowed the UAV to autonomously map its route while in flight and complete a series of maneuvers.
The new technology would enable a UAV in the field to map its own path without operator input and fly to an area to locate fixed and moving ground targets, monitor weapon strikes or provide imagery for damage assessment. At present, an operator on the ground must plot the UAV's course via waypoints to ensure the vehicle reaches and remains in the proper position to accomplish its assigned task.
